{"id":2276,"date":"2018-08-15T11:15:36","date_gmt":"2018-08-15T15:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ufluidix.com\/circlesecond\/?p=2276"},"modified":"2019-10-09T14:45:50","modified_gmt":"2019-10-09T18:45:50","slug":"recent-microfluidics-advances-on-earth-and-above-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ufluidix.com\/circle\/recent-microfluidics-advances-on-earth-and-above-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Recent Microfluidics Advances, on Earth and Above It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Harnessing the potential of microfluidics applications<\/a> is underway in every corner of the globe, and stretching out to deep space as well.<\/p>\n

In Japan<\/a>, cancer researchers are building microfluidic chip cell sorters for capture and analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC), an endeavor that historically has ranged from challenging to impossible. Their \u201cOn\u2010chip Sort\u201d detected and captured rare CTCs from patients with lung adenocarcinoma, which have typically been undetectable. Mutation detection using isolated CTCs is their next goal.<\/p>\n

Austrian<\/a> scientists at Vienna\u2019s Institute of Molecular Biotechnology are creating lab-grown brain organoids. Brain tumors\u2019 thickly tentacled structure makes them hard to remove surgically. Molecular characteristics make it difficult to map the winding journey that cancers travel. Glioblastoma in particular links up with blood vessels, feeding cancer cells to grow and spread quickly.<\/p>\n

IMBA researchers report that their organoids-in-a-dish allow them to replicate carcinogenesis. They can observe onset at early stages, and monitor the tumor growing, in ways previously not possible. Their neoplastic organoids reproduce unique neural aspects, such as an array of cell types and development stages. This provides a way to see how tumors arise. The Vienna researchers can also test different therapies in the dish.<\/p>\n

At Griffith University in Queensland, Australia<\/a>, scientists are investigating micro-optofluidics and micro-magnetofluidics. Micro-optofluidics engineers explore the interaction between fluid flow and light, for new applications. The combination of magnetism and fluid flow reveals the path toward research into micro-magnetofluidics.<\/p>\n

In the U.S., researchers at Texas<\/a> Technology are growing artificial corneas-on-chips to measure how much eye medication reaches its target. This is commonly tested utilizing rabbit eyes. The Texas scientists\u2019 aim to reduce the use of animal testing for eye medication.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody knows how much eye medicine is really released into the eye because of certain barriers,\u201d one of the researchers explained. \u201cThe first barrier is the cornea. The cornea itself is made up of five layers of cells. Companies usually use rabbit eyes because of structural similarity with slow blinking speed.\u201d However, such tests don\u2019t replicate the process inside the of the human cornea. The corneas-on-chips mimic corneal constraints, enabling realistic analyses of permeability.<\/p>\n

Researchers in Massachusetts<\/a> developed a microfluidic assay that detected sepsis infection from just one drop of blood. Sepsis is potentially fatal. Sepsis develops from lesser infections, when infection-fighting processes trigger inflammation that can damage organs, causing them to fail. Prompt diagnoses and early treatment increase the survival rate. The mortality rate for septic shock is nearly 50 percent.<\/p>\n

Quick diagnosis is crucial because sepsis symptoms are typical of other disorders. Multiple assessments are sometimes needed, including heart rate and respiration rate; blood tests; X-rays, ultrasound, MRIs or CT scans; liver\/kidney function tests and electrolyte imbalances. The assessment might mean obtaining data from multiple unconnected sources. Electronic systems that link data together, and automatically analyze and monitor information, facilitate quick treatment. But they can fail, resulting in false positive or false negative indications.<\/p>\n

So an uncomplicated method of diagnosis, with one drop of blood, would be not only striking but life-altering. The researchers\u2019 \u201cassay identified sepsis patients with 97 percent sensitivity and 98 percent specificity,\u201d they reported.<\/p>\n

And then there\u2019s deep space. Minus the constraints of gravity, astronauts learn the limits of physiology in space, as well as the limits of the earthly-made equipment. In case they need tools customizable for unanticipated tasks, 3D printing<\/a> technology is now onboard the International Space Station, or ISS.No need to return all the way back to Earth for that special wrench. In addition to 3D printing of tools, research is underway into the possibility of biofabrication<\/a> in space. Investigation of cellular function in space shows organoids may have a role in 3D bioprinting, for organ replacement during deep space travel.<\/p>\n

So there might be no need to return all the way back to Earth for that wrench \u2014 or that medical treatment either.<\/p>\n

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