The BioFlux system is a game-changer in the world of experimental research. By employing a multiplexed array format, it revolutionizes the way flow cell experiments are conducted. Just picture this: a single 48-well plate has the potential to run an impressive 24 assays concurrently. And with the introduction of the Quattro add-on, a staggering 96 experiments can run in parallel. This substantial boost in data throughput means researchers can delve into more conditions, test hypotheses, and uncover drug pharmacology faster than ever before. But as we’ll learn in this case study, the real-world benefits go far beyond multiplexing.
Dr. Clemence Belleannée and her team at the University of Laval take advantage of BioFlux system’s contactless pumping to improve experimental throughput and data integrity
While the BioFlux system’s capacity for multiplexing experiments is widely celebrated, there’s an equally vital but less-discussed feature that significantly elevates both throughput and data integrity: “contactless” pumping. In this case study, we’ll delve into the concept behind contactless pumping, its crucial features, and its transformative impact in the laboratory of Dr. Clemence Belleannée at the Universite Laval in Quebec City, Canada who has been using BioFlux since 2015.
Overview
The unique technology of the BioFlux system has left an indelible mark on Dr. Belleannée’s research team at the University of Laval. Their work focuses on developing a reversible male contraceptive that preserves male fertility and additionally, explores novel therapeutic approaches to prostate cancer.
Challenges
The team sought a system that could investigate the function and response of shear stress without requiring fluid exchange, to reduce the likelihood of contamination.
Outcomes
Fluxion’s BioFlux system, with its gas-driven flow cell setup, met the team’s needs without necessitating fluid exchange. This has empowered their research in numerous ways.
Key Benefits (according to Dr. Belleannée)
Ditching the Drawbacks of Traditional Microfluidic Flow Cells
In traditional flow cell systems, even the microfluidic ones, fluid flow is typically managed by syringe pumps, peristaltic pumps, or similar direct-fluid-contact approaches. However, the BioFlux system takes things a step further with its pneumatic pressure-driven pumping mechanism.
The limitations of traditional liquid pumps in conjunction with microfluidic flow cells are glaring:
BioFlux Pneumatic Pumping: The Key to Precision, Multiplexing, and Speed
To address these issues, Fluxion introduced the innovative use of pneumatic pressure-driven flow within the BioFlux system. The system integrates an array of microfluidic flow cells into the base of a standard size plate, solving the “macro to micro interface” challenge inherent to many microfluidic devices. In its simplest form, a microfluidic flow cell comprises an inlet well and an outlet well connected by the microfluidic flow cell channel.
Pneumatic pumping-precision without liquid contact
Pneumatic tubing connects to the interface to deliver gas pressure to the microfluidic well plate. The controller delivers precise gas pressure based on the user-determined flow profile for the experiment.
Computational fluid dynamics is used to model flow in the microfluidic channels. The flow profiles are then validated experimentally. This image of the CFD-analyzed flow demonstrates the uniformity of the wall shear stress profile across the BioFlux 48-well low shear stress plate. The channel diameter is 350um- 5 human hairs.
The Unparalleled Benefits of BioFlux’s Pneumatic Pressure-Driven Pumping
Learn more about the BioFlux System and the difference it can make in your lab.
Dr. Anson Blanks completed his BS in exercise physiology at East Carolina University and his MS in clinical exercise science at Appalachian State University. After working as a clinical exercise physiologist in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, Dr. Blanks decided to pursue a career in scientific research. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where he completed his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation and Movement Science. After spending several years as a research and development scientist in biotechnology industry, Dr. Blanks is now a scientific marketing manager for Cell Microsystems in Durham, NC.
In the ongoing battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs,” scientists are constantly seeking innovative tools to understand the mechanisms of resistance and develop effective treatments. One such groundbreaking technology is shear flow systems, which have emerged as game-changers in microbiological research. By simulating the dynamic conditions of bacteria’s natural environments, such as the human body or food processing, shear flow systems provide unique insights into bacterial behavior and resistance mechanisms that traditional static methods simply cannot achieve. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of using shear flow systems to combat antibiotic resistance and develop next-generation therapies.
Antibiotic resistance is a complex phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and the formation of biofilms. Traditional laboratory methods often fail to capture the dynamic nature of these processes, leading to incomplete or misleading results. Shear flow systems address this limitation by providing a more realistic environment for bacterial growth and interaction. Here’s how:
1. Mimicking Real-World Conditions
In the human body, bacteria are rarely in a static state. They are constantly exposed to fluid flow, such as blood circulation or urine flow, which influences their behavior and resistance mechanisms. Shear flow systems can replicate these conditions, allowing researchers to study how bacteria respond to antibiotics under realistic physiological conditions. This is critical for understanding how resistance develops and persists in vivo. This benefit was recently highlighted in a webinar presented by Dr. Katharina Richter, a microbiology researcher from the University of Adelaide in Australia. Using a high-throughput BioFlux Shear Flow System, Dr. Richter and her team were able to test 3 different methods of superbug treatments under physiological conditions.
2. Studying Biofilm Formation and Resistance
Biofilms—structured communities of bacteria encased in a protective matrix—are a major contributor to antibiotic resistance. Biofilms are notoriously difficult to treat because they shield bacteria from antibiotics and the immune system. Shear flow systems enable researchers to study biofilm formation in real time, observing how bacteria adhere to surfaces, form microcolonies, and develop resistance under flow conditions. For example, using a BioFlux, Dr. Richter was able to leverage high-resolution imaging to obtain unprecedented insight into the biofilm killing and prevention efficacy of a copper and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) combination nanoparticles¹. The group is currently investigating the use of a Cu-DDC infused gel that can be injected into wounds that are at high risk for chronic infection, such as hernia.
Imagine working with a rare patient-derived cell samples. In a traditional setup, you might need 1 milliliter of sample (equivalent to about 20 drops) to run an experiment. With a microfluidic system, you could potentially get the same results with just 10 microliters (about one-half of a single drop). This efficiency opens up entirely new research possibilities, especially in fields where sample availability is a limiting factor.
Whether due to rarity, cost, or difficulty in obtaining samples, the ability to conduct meaningful experiments with limited sample volumes has long been a goal in biological and chemical research. In this quest for more efficient and precise laboratory techniques, microfluidic shear flow systems have emerged as game-changing tools. These systems are not only reducing the amount of sample required for experiments but are also proving their versatility across a wide range of sample types.
Traditional experimental setups, including static and non-microfluidic shear flow, often demand significant amounts of material, which can be both costly and impractical. This is especially true when working with precious or limited samples such as rare biological specimens, expensive chemicals, or newly synthesized compounds. Enter microfluidic shear flow systems – an elegant solution that’s revolutionizing how investigators approach assays. These miniaturized platforms are proving invaluable across multiple disciplines by dramatically reducing sample requirements from milliliters down to microliters, while maintaining experimental integrity. This up to 1000-fold reduction in sample volume is particularly crucial when working with substances, such as patient-derived cells or novel pharmaceuticals. By significantly reducing the volume of reagents and samples needed, these systems cut costs and make experiments more sustainable.
Equally as impressive as their sample and reagent reduction ability, is the versatility of microfluidic shear flow systems to adapt to different types of samples.
The ability to work with multiple sample types in the same system allows researchers to explore different experimental conditions without the need for multiple specialized setups. By precisely controlling channel geometries and flow rates, researchers can subject different sample types to well-defined shear conditions, enabling detailed studies of cellular mechanics, protein interactions, and material properties.
By Jessica Hartman, Ph.D.
Toiling in the lab
With a deadline on its way
To the scope I go
On a Saturday
I don’t see a clone
I’ve looked for one that’s right
What misery these data bring,
I’ll have to look all night,
Oh! Single cells, single cells, dilutions aren’t the way
Oh, I wish I had an AIR to pick a clone, to-da-ay!
Single cells, single cells, I need a better way
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Now it’s getting late
My spirits are so low
My PI will hate
If my cells don’t grow
My eyesight’s getting dim
A clone I cannot see
My chances are so slim
I need CellRaftA microscale polystyrene growth surface within an array used to spatially segregate cells/colonies while maintaining shared media access, enabling imaging over time and targeted isolation. More Cytometry
Oh! Single cells, single cells, sorters aren’t the way
Oh, I wish I had an AIR to pick a clone, to-da-ay!
Single cells, single cells, I need a better way
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Oh! Single cells, single cells, dispensers aren’t the way
Oh, I wish I had an AIR to pick a clone, to-da-ay!
Single cells, single cells, I need a better way
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
“Single Cell” vocalist: Virginia Laurie
