Boston University

9 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Biology

Fabrication of the Thermoplastic Microfluidic Channels

Arpita Bhattacharyya¹, Dominika Kulinski¹, Catherine Klapperich¹

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University

Here we demonstrate how to fabricate thermoplastic microfluidic chips using hot embossing and heat sealing. Then we demonstrate how to use in situ light directed surface grafting and polymerization through the sealed chip to form the composite solid phase columns.

Biology

Microfluidic Applications for Disposable Diagnostics

Catherine Klapperich¹

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University

In this interview, Dr. Klapperich discusses the fabrication of thermoplastic microfluidic devices and their application for development of new diagnostics.

Bioengineering

Biomolecular Detection employing the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor (IRIS)

Carlos A. Lopez¹, George G. Daaboul², Sunmin Ahn², Alexander P. Reddington¹, Margo R. Monroe², Xirui Zhang², Rostem J. Irani³, Chunxiao Yu^4,5, Caroline A. Genco^4,5, Marina Cretich⁶, Marcella Chiari⁶, Bennett B. Goldberg¹, John H. Connor⁵, M. Selim Ünlü^1,2

¹Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University , ²Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University , ³Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Boston University , ⁴Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, ⁵Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, ⁶CNR (National Research Council), Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare

Quantitative, high-throughput, real-time, and label-free biomolecular detection (DNA, protein, etc.) on SiO₂ surfaces can be achieved using a simple interferometric technique which relies on LED illumination, minimal optical components, and a camera. The Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor (IRIS) is inexpensive, simple to use, and amenable to microarray formats.

Engineering

Synthesis of Phase-shift Nanoemulsions with Narrow Size Distributions for Acoustic Droplet Vaporization and Bubble-enhanced Ultrasound-mediated Ablation

Jonathan A. Kopechek¹, Peng Zhang¹, Mark T. Burgess¹, Tyrone M. Porter¹

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University

Phase-shift nanoemulsions (PSNE) can be vaporized using high intensity focused ultrasound to enhance localized heating and improve thermal ablation in tumors. In this report, the preparation of stable PSNE with a narrow size distribution is described. Furthermore, the impact of vaporized PSNE on ultrasound-mediated ablation is demonstrated in tissue-mimicking phantoms.

Bioengineering

Microfluidic Chip Fabrication and Method to Detect Influenza

Qingqing Cao¹, Andy Fan², Catherine Klapperich^1,2

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University , ²Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University

An integrated microfluidic thermoplastic chip has been developed for use as a molecular diagnostic. The chip performs nucleic acid extraction, reverse transcriptase, and PCR. Methods for fabricating and running the chip are described.

Biology

Partial Bile Duct Ligation in the Mouse: A Controlled Model of Localized Obstructive Cholestasis

Shinichiro Yokota^1,2, Yoshihiro Ono², Toshimasa Nakao², Peng Zhang³, George K. Michalopoulos^4,5, Zahida Khan^3,4,5,6

¹Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, ²Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, ³Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, ⁴Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, ⁵Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, ⁶McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

Here, we present partial bile duct ligation as a surgical model of liver injury and regeneration in rodents.

Genetics

Screening and Identification of RNA Silencing Suppressors from Secreted Effectors of Plant Pathogens

Jinxia Shi¹, Yijuan Jia¹, Di Fang¹, Shidan He¹, Peng Zhang^1,2, Yushuang Guo³, Yongli Qiao¹

¹Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, ²College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, ³Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, China National Tobacco Corporation, Guizhou Institute of Tobacco Science

Here, we present a modified screening method that can be extensively used to quickly screen RNA silencing suppressors in plant pathogens.

Bioengineering

Assembly and Operation of an Acoustofluidic Device for Enhanced Delivery of Molecular Compounds to Cells

Connor S. Centner¹, Emily M. Murphy¹, Bryce F. Stamp², Mariah C. Priddy¹, John T. Moore¹, Paula J. Bates², Michael A. Menze³, Kavitha Yaddanapudi², Jonathan A. Kopechek¹

¹Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, ²School of Medicine, University of Louisville, ³Department of Biology, University of Louisville

This protocol describes the assembly and operation of a low-cost acoustofluidic device for rapid molecular delivery to cells via sonoporation induced by ultrasound contrast agents.

Education

A Modeling and Simulation Method for Preliminary Design of an Electro-Variable Displacement Pump

Xu Han¹, Peng Zhang², Tatiana Minav³, Yongling Fu¹, Jian Fu¹

¹School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, ²Beijing Institute of Precision Mechatronics and Controls, ³Innovative Hydraulics and Automation, Tampere University

A simulation model specifically supporting the preliminary design of an electro-variable displacement pump (EVDP) is developed and partially verified by experiments. The control performance, life, reliability, etc., can all be evaluated using the proposed model, which covers the main performance requirements under the EVDP preliminary design task.