In this study, we have developed a meander-shaped dynamic microfluidic technology that allows us to pair two different types of microbeads in a trapping site. The dynamic microfluidic technology comprises implemented modifications of a conventional dynamic microarray design such as: (i) the combination of a meander-shaped by-pass channel and a trapping channel with a hydrodynamic trapping site ...

We studied a model system of controlled drug release using beta-carotene and κ-carrageenan/NaCMC hydrogel as a drug and a device, respectively. Different concentrations of genipin were added to crosslink the beta-carotene loaded beads by using the dripping method. Results have shown that the cross-linked beads possess lower swelling ability in all pH conditions (pH 1.2 and 7.4), and swelling ra...

Two kinds of algal beads were prepared using a carrageenan-based alga (Chrondrus crispus) and an alginate-based alga (Laminara digitata) ionotropically gelled with K(I) and Ca(II), respectively: the process consists of biopolymer partial extraction followed by hydrogel formation. The beads were modified with branched polyethylenimine (bPEI) and glutaraldehyde (GA) using the impregnation method ...

The growth dynamics of polyacrylamide hydrogel beads due to liquid absorption under geometric confinement is studied. First, the behavior individual investigated and, subsequently, analyzed in presence several interacting same material. In both, and collective studies, magnitude varied, order investigate effect that stress applied on particles has their hydration kinetics.

In order to detect small amounts of mutants for early cancer diagnosis, we have developed the novel method of using amplicon-coated microbeads and single-molecule-PCR in water-in-oil emulsions, which we coupled with a new detection platform, the hydrogel bead-array, a 3-D polyacrylamide gel network used as a carrier to immobilize the beads.

Mineralized biomaterials are promising for use in bone tissue engineering. Culturing osteogenic cells in such materials will potentially generate biological bone grafts that may even further augment bone healing. Here, we studied osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in an alginate hydrogel system where the cells were co-immobilized with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) for...

In this paper, we present a microfluidic system to produce micrometer-size collagen hydrogel particles. Aqueous droplets containing collagen molecules were generated in the continuous phase of a polar organic solvent at a microchannel junction, and then, collagen molecules were concentrated by the dehydration of the droplets. The collagen molecules in the shrunk droplets were chemically cross-l...