Cell culture devices, such as microfluidic chips and microwells, are essential for complex biological modelling, yet their widespread adoption is hindered by cost and customisation limitations. To address this, a recent paper has been published in PLOS Biology which presents a streamlined, low-cost microfabrication method tailored for biological labs with limited expertise.
Knowledge Articles
Materials Library - PCL
The majority of thermoplastics have inherently low surface energy and therefore exhibit poor adhesion characteristics. Plasma treatment offers a reliable and environmentally friendly method of both cleaning and activating the thermoplastic surface, increasing the surface energy and wettability and resulting in greatly improved adhesion characteristics.
Molecular motors – Advancing Microtubule Dynamics
Intracellular transport relies on the coordinated efforts of molecular motors, particularly dynein and kinesin, which facilitate bidirectional movement along microtubules. Despite the recognised co-dependency between these motors, the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. In this study, employing in vitro motility assays, researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, unveil a dual role for the kinesin-3 motor, KIF1C, acting not only as an activator but also as a processivity factor for dynein. Using a Henniker Plasma HPT-200 system specifically in the meticulous preparation of the microscopy chambers used for TIRF (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence) assays.
Microprinted 3D Cell Scaffolds: Mimicking Nature's Network Wiring in Lymph Nodes
Research conducted on bioinspired 3D microprinted cell scaffolds and recently published in Biotechnology Journal marks a significant shift in tissue engineering and biomedical research. Notably, using a Henniker Plasma HPT-100 system to facilitate the preparation of fused silica substrates through oxygen plasma treatment.
Advancement in Wound Care - Argon Plasma Treatment with the HPT-100
Researchers at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin have made noteworthy strides in wound care through their utilisation of the Henniker HPT-100 Plasma System.
Materials Library - EPDM
The majority of synthetic rubbers have inherently low surface energy and therefore exhibit poor adhesion characteristics. Plasma treatment offers a reliable and environmentally friendly method of both cleaning and activating the rubbers surface, increasing the surface energy and wettability, resulting in greatly improved adhesion characteristics.
Materials Library - Polypropylene
The majority of common engineering polymers have inherently low surface energy and therefore exhibit poor adhesion characteristics. Plasma treatment offers a reliable and environmentally friendly method of both cleaning and activating the polymer surface, increasing the surface energy and wettability, resulting in greatly improved adhesion characteristics.
The potential of photoactive materials to manipulate surface topography.
Researchers from the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering explored how photoactive materials can manipulate surface topographies, creating opportunities for various applications such as designing stretchable electronic and advanced optical devices.
Materials Library - Polystyrene
The majority of common engineering polymers have inherently low surface energy and therefore exhibit poor adhesion characteristics. Plasma treatment offers a reliable and environmentally friendly method of both cleaning and activating the polymer surface, increasing the surface energy and wettability, resulting in greatly improved adhesion characteristics.
Omniphobic Surfaces with Carbon Nanomaterials and Plasma Technology
The Physiochemistry of Carbon Materials Research Group at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, have been publishing and completing work to produce new durable, transparent hydrophobic, superhydrophobic and omniphobic surfaces with the aid of modern carbon nanomaterials and a thermal feathering technique developed in a previous study.
