TY - JOUR A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Wollny, Steffen A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Functionalized magnetizable particles for downstream processing in single-use systems JF - Chemie Ingenieur Technik N2 - Biotechnological downstream processing is usually an elaborate procedure, requiring a multitude of unit operations to isolate the target component. Besides the disadvantageous space-time yield, the risks of cross-contaminations and product loss grow fast with the complexity of the isolation procedure. A significant reduction of unit operations can be achieved by application of magnetic particles, especially if these are functionalized with affinity ligands. As magnetic susceptible materials are highly uncommon in biotechnological processes, target binding and selective separation of such particles from fermentation or reactions broths can be done in a single step. Since the magnetizable particles can be produced from iron salts and low priced polymers, a single-use implementation of these systems is highly conceivable. In this article, the principles of magnetizable particles, their synthesis and functionalization are explained. Furthermore, applications in the area of reaction engineering, microfluidics and downstream processing are discussed focusing on established single-use technologies and development potential. Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cite.201200130 VL - 85 IS - 1-2: Special Issue: Single-Use Technology SP - 76 EP - 86 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Tippkötter, Nils T1 - Superparamagnetic hydrophobic particles as shell material for digital microfluidic droplets and proof-of-principle reaction assessments with immobilized laccase JF - Engineering in Life Sciences N2 - In the field of biotechnology and molecular biology, the use of small liquid volumes has significant advantages. In particular, screening and optimization runs with acceptable amounts of expensive and hardly available catalysts, reagents, or biomolecules are feasible with microfluidic technologies. The presented new microfluidic system is based on the inclusion of small liquid volumes by a protective shell of magnetizable microparticles. Hereby, discrete aqueous microreactor drops with volumes of 1–30 μL can be formed on a simple planar surface. A digital movement and manipulation of the microreactor is performed by overlapping magnetic forces. The magnetic forces are generated by an electrical coil matrix positioned below a glass plate. With the new platform technology, several discrete reaction compartments can be moved simultaneously on one surface. Due to the magnetic fields, the reactors can even be merged to initiate reactions by mixing or positioned above surface-immobilized catalysts and then opened by magnetic force. Comparative synthesis routes of the magnetizable shell particles and superhydrophobic glass slides including their performance and stability with the reaction platform are described. The influence of diffusive mass transport during the catalyzed reaction is discussed by evaluation finite element model of the microreactor. Furthermore, a first model dye reaction of the enzyme laccase has been established. Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201400124 VL - 16 IS - 3 SP - 222 EP - 230 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Duwe, Anna A1 - Huster, Manuel A1 - Muffler, Kai A1 - Schlegel, Christin A1 - Tim, Sieker A1 - Stadtmüller, Ralf A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - Biotechnology and bioprocess engineering – from the first ullmann's article to recent trends JF - ChemBioEng Reviews N2 - For several thousand years, biotechnology and its associated technical processes have had a great impact on the development of mankind. Based on empirical methods, in particular for the production of foodstuffs and daily commodities, these disciplines have become one of the most innovative future issues. Due to the increasing detailed understanding of cellular processes, production strains can now be optimized. In combination with modern bioprocesses, a variety of bulk and fine chemicals as well as pharmaceuticals can be produced efficiently. In this article, some of the current trends in biotechnology are discussed. Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cben.201500008 VL - 2 IS - 3 SP - 175 EP - 184 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Kuthan, Kai A1 - Hering, Thomas A1 - Tippkötter, Nils T1 - Aqueous droplets used as enzymatic microreactors and their electromagnetic actuation JF - Journal of Visualized Experiments N2 - For the successful implementation of microfluidic reaction systems, such as PCR and electrophoresis, the movement of small liquid volumes is essential. In conventional lab-on-a-chip-platforms, solvents and samples are passed through defined microfluidic channels with complex flow control installations. The droplet actuation platform presented here is a promising alternative. With it, it is possible to move a liquid drop (microreactor) on a planar surface of a reaction platform (lab-in-a-drop). The actuation of microreactors on the hydrophobic surface of the platform is based on the use of magnetic forces acting on the outer shell of the liquid drops which is made of a thin layer of superhydrophobic magnetite particles. The hydrophobic surface of the platform is needed to avoid any contact between the liquid core and the surface to allow a smooth movement of the microreactor. On the platform, one or more microreactors with volumes of 10 µL can be positioned and moved simultaneously. The platform itself consists of a 3 x 3 matrix of electrical double coils which accommodate either neodymium or iron cores. The magnetic field gradients are automatically controlled. By variation of the magnetic field gradients, the microreactors' magnetic hydrophobic shell can be manipulated automatically to move the microreactor or open the shell reversibly. Reactions of substrates and corresponding enzymes can be initiated by merging the microreactors or bringing them into contact with surface immobilized catalysts. Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3791/54643 SN - 1940-087X IS - Issue 126 ER - TY - PAT A1 - Al-Kaidy, Huschyar A1 - Tippkötter, Nils A1 - Ulber, Roland T1 - A system and a method for the implementation of chemical, biological or physical reactions [Europäische Patentanmeldung] N2 - The invention relates to a system for the implementation of chemical, biological or physical reactions, consisting of - one or more magnetic micro-reactors, each comprising a shell made of hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles encapsulating an aqueous core, - a plane platform comprising a surface to receive the micro-reactors, - a source that generates a magnetic field above or underneath the platform for manipulating the one or more hydrophobic magnetic micro-reactors, or for moving them along the surface of the platform from one position to another position, characterized in that the aqueous core of the one or more magnetic micro-reactors contains a reaction solution or buffer, and wherein the magnetic field generated by the source correlates to a defined position on the surface of the platform. Y1 - 2013 PB - Europäisches Patentamt CY - Den Hague ER -