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Microfluidic integrated impedance flow cytometry for selection and probing of flagellate microalgae
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Scientists built a tiny lab-on-a-chip device that can automatically sort and identify beneficial algae from contaminants like microplastics and other unwanted cells, using electrical signals rather than manual microscope work. This matters because these particular algae are being explored for uses like helping wounds heal and powering tiny biological robots, so having a fast, reliable way to purify and study them could speed up development of these future medical technologies. While the device isn't a treatment itself, it's a promising tool for improving the quality control behind emerging biotech health applications.
Flagellate microalgae are playing an increasingly important role in biotechnology and environmental management. However, microscale samples, such as microplastics, bacteria, and other microalgae living with the target microalgae, may have a negative impact on microalgae cell detection. Thus, there is an urgent necessity to investigate a novel method for selection and profiling of microalgae cells. Enthused by these aspects, we investigated a novel integrated microfluidic impedance flow cytometry (MIFC) for selection and probing of microalgae cells through integrating expansion–contraction cavity arrays and MIFC. Firstly, we investigated the flow field distribution and explored the sorting process of microalgae within the expansion–contraction microchannel depending on the establishment of the simulation model. We also numerically analyzed the influence of electrode spacing, cell size and cell position on the impedance probing of microalgae. Secondly, a microfluidic chip with expansion–contraction cavity arrays was designed and fabricated to realize the isolation of H. pluvialis from microplastics and the Euglena from Platymonas under diverse flow velocities. Thirdly, MIFC with two pairs of coplanar electrodes was designed and fabricated to accomplish the impedance detection of Euglena under different voltage frequencies. Finally, an integrated MIFC was developed with the separation module of expansion–contraction microchannel and impedance probing module of two pairs of coplanar electrodes, which were leveraged to realize the isolation of H. pluvialis and explored their impedance response to various voltage frequencies and flow velocities. This method holds good potential to function as an effective tool in the treatment of chronic wounds and development of biological microrobots with the advantages of strong anti-interference capability and high integration.
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