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Synthesis and utilization of E. coli ‐encapsulated PEG‐based microdroplet using a microfluidic chip for biological application
Author(s) -
Lee Kyoung G.,
Park Tae Jung,
Soo Song Young,
Wang Kye Won,
Kim Byeong I.I.,
Park Jae Hong,
Lee ChangSoo,
Kim Do Hyun,
Lee Seok Jae
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.22861
Subject(s) - microfluidics , biocompatibility , polyethylene glycol , nanotechnology , polymerization , microreactor , biosensor , chemistry , materials science , fluorescence , microfluidic chip , green fluorescent protein , polymer , biochemistry , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , catalysis , gene
We report herein an effective strategy for encapsulating Escherichia coli in polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) microdroplets using a microfluidic device and chemical polymerization. PEGDA was employed as a reactant due to the biocompatibility, high porosity, and hydrophilic property. The uniform size and shape of microdroplets are obtained in a single‐step process using microfluidic device. The size of microdroplets can be controlled through the changing continuous flow rate. The combination of microdroplet generation and chemical polymerization techniques provide unique environment to produce non‐toxic ways of fabricating microorganism‐encapsulated hydrogel microbeads. Due to these unique properties of micro‐sized hydrogel microbeads, the encapsulated E. coli can maintain viability inside of microbeads and green fluorescent protein (GFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) genes are efficiently expressed inside of microbeads after isopropyl‐ β ‐ D ‐thiogalactopyranoside induction, suggesting that there is no low‐molecular weight substrate transfer limitation inside of microbeads. Furthermore, non‐toxic, gentle, and outstanding biocompatibility of microbeads, the encapsulated E. coli can be used in various applications including biotransformation, biosensing, bioremediation, and engineering of artificial cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107:747–751. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.