SMART’s new Microfluidic Technology revolutionizes stem cell extraction
Researchers at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have unveiled a groundbreaking microfluidic technique that promises a paradigm shift in stem cell extraction from bone marrow aspirate (BMA). The traditional methods, plagued by complexity and inefficiency, have been revolutionized by SMART’s new approach, which not only simplifies the process but also significantly enhances its speed and effectiveness.
This innovative method, detailed in a recent publication in Lab on a Chip, leverages Deterministic Lateral Displacement (DLD) microfluidic technology to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) directly from pure bone marrow. Unlike conventional techniques that often involve cumbersome centrifugation and lengthy processing times, SMART’s approach reduces the extraction time to a mere 20 minutes while doubling the yield of MSCs from the samples.
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The impact of this breakthrough extends beyond the laboratory. Patients donating bone marrow stand to benefit from a more streamlined and less discomforting aspiration process. Moreover, the accelerated cell production and simplified manufacturing of cell therapies hold immense promise for treating conditions like osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders.
SMART’s method relies on label-free cell sorting, sidestepping the need for costly reagents and complex workflows. By capitalizing on cells’ natural properties, this approach not only enhances efficiency but also preserves the integrity of the extracted cells, crucial for their therapeutic potential. This marks a significant departure from conventional sorting methods that often risk damaging cells or interfering with subsequent analyses.
The research team is enthusiastic about the broader implications of this technology. Mr. Nicholas Tan, a Research Engineer at SMART CAMP and lead author of the paper, expressed excitement about the potential applications of this platform in various bioprocessing areas, highlighting its capacity to accelerate the development of advanced treatments.
Professor Jongyoon Han, Co-Lead Principal Investigator at SMART CAMP, emphasized the potential impact of microfluidics in biomanufacturing and bioprocessing, foreseeing substantial improvements in efficiency and cost reduction.
Moving forward, SMART aims to enhance the technology further by assessing the quality of sorted MSCs from human bone marrow samples and refining the system’s design for increased portability and user-friendliness, aiming to achieve a sorting throughput of 10 ml per minute.
Dr. Kerwin Kwek, a Research Scientist at SMART CAMP and co-lead author of the paper, highlighted the elimination of cumbersome labelling methods and the assurance of more accurate results, underscoring this breakthrough’s significance in the realm of cellular studies.
Supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore, this pioneering research has the potential to reshape the landscape of cell therapy, offering a more efficient and accessible avenue for developing cutting-edge treatments. National University Hospital and A*STAR BTI were key collaborators in this transformative research, providing essential support and benchmarking conventional methods against SMART’s innovative technology.
Source: Smart
Category: Features, Technology & Devices
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