title: Microfluidic synthesis of microfibers for magnetic-responsive controlled drug release and cell culture.
abstract: This study demonstrated the fabrication of alginate microfibers using a modular microfluidic system for magnetic-responsive controlled drug release and cell culture. A novel two-dimensional fluid-focusing technique with multi-inlets and junctions was used to spatiotemporally control the continuous laminar flow of alginate solutions. The diameter of the manufactured microfibers, which ranged from 211 µm to 364 µm, could be well controlled by changing the flow rate of the continuous phase. While the model drug, diclofenac, was encapsulated into microfibers, the drug release profile exhibited the characteristic of a proper and steady release. Furthermore, the diclofenac release kinetics from the magnetic iron oxide-loaded microfibers could be controlled externally, allowing for a rapid drug release by applying a magnetic force. In addition, the successful culture of glioblastoma multiforme cells in the microfibers demonstrated a good structural integrity and environment to grow cells that could be applied in drug screening for targeting cancer cells. The proposed microfluidic system has the advantages of ease of fabrication, simplicity, and a fast and low-cost process that is capable of generating functional microfibers with the potential for biomedical applications, such as drug controlled release and cell culture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Cosmetology and Master Program of Cosmetic Science, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yung-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Keng-Shiang
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chih-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chih-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuh-Shyong
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hsiang-Chen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Yu-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Chia-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008280:Magnetics; D051379:Mice; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004008:Diclofenac