Reversible Protein Capture and Release by Redox-Responsive Hydrogel in Microfluidics
Chen Jiao1,2, Franziska Obst3, Martin Geisler1
1Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
Polymers
|January 21, 2022
Summary
Responsive hydrogel dots integrated into microfluidic devices offer stable, stimuli-responsive behavior. These hydrogels dynamically capture and release proteins, showing potential for lab-on-a-chip applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Stimuli-responsive hydrogels are crucial for microfluidic applications.
- Double cross-linked hydrogels provide stability and responsiveness.
- Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm) hydrogels are suitable for microfluidic integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate redox-responsive hydrogel dots into microfluidic devices.
- To demonstrate dynamic capture and release of proteins using these hydrogels.
- To evaluate the efficiency and reusability of the hydrogel system for biomolecule handling.
Main Methods:
- Photopolymerization of PNiPAAm hydrogels with permanent (BIS) and reversible (BAC) cross-linkers.
- Rheological measurements to assess hydrogel stability under shear forces.
- Thiol-disulfide exchange for reversible capture and release of functionalized bovine serum albumin (BSA).
Main Results:
- Hydrogel dots exhibited swelling/shrinking due to disulfide bond cleavage/re-formation.
- Selected hydrogels demonstrated stability under continuous flow in microfluidic devices.
- Efficient reversible capture and release of BSA achieved (83.6% release rate) over 3 cycles.
Conclusions:
- Redox-responsive hydrogel dots enable dynamic capture and release of functionalized (macro)molecules.
- The developed system shows great potential for integration into lab-on-a-chip devices for detection and delivery.
- This technology offers a versatile platform for controlled manipulation of biomolecules in microfluidic systems.
