Integration of a Reconstituted Cell-free Protein-synthesis System on a Glass Microchip

Process Intensification of 2,2′-(4-Nitrophenyl) Dipyrromethane Synthesis with a SO3H-Functionalized Ionic Liquid Catalyst in Pickering-Emulsion-Based Packed-Bed Microreactors

“…In recent years, Yang et al made significant efforts in confined catalysis based on the Pickering emulsion, and they demonstrated that the application of the Pickering emulsion in sulfuric acid catalytic reactions showed great application potential in organic catalysis [ 23 ]. Packed-bed microreactors are a kind of microreactor widely applied in both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic processes, such as catalytic asymmetric synthesis, hydrogenation reactions, metal-catalyzed reactions, enzymatic catalysis, and photocatalysis [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Catalysts or inert microparticles are used as packing materials in packed-bed microreactors, and various reactants can mix acutely in the confined and crooked interstices between the microparticles, leading to the significant intensification of transport and reaction processes compared with nonpacked microchannels [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Integration of cell-free protein synthesis and purification in one microfluidic chip for on-demand production of recombinant protein

“…31,32 However, protein expression yields were limited in the traditional batch reaction mode, owing to the accumulation of phosphate and the rapid consumption of raw materials, which resulted in high reagent consumption and costs. In order to improve protein yield, researchers developed the continuous-flow cell-free (CFCF) 11,33,34 and continuous-exchange cell-free (CECF) methods. [35][36][37][38] Both CFCF and CECF depend on a continuous supply of energy and substrate and the removal of reaction by-products to prolong reaction times and increase protein yield.…”

“…The emergence of microfluidics provides an alternative solution to the above problems. As protein synthesis is carried out in a micron-sized channel, the reagent consumption, reaction times, and reaction efficiency are improved 39 owing to the large surface area-to-volume, 33 short diffusion distance, 35 and ease of temperature control. 40 Both CFCF 33 and CECF 35 have been performed in microfluidic chips.…”

“…As protein synthesis is carried out in a micron-sized channel, the reagent consumption, reaction times, and reaction efficiency are improved 39 owing to the large surface area-to-volume, 33 short diffusion distance, 35 and ease of temperature control. 40 Both CFCF 33 and CECF 35 have been performed in microfluidic chips. Since proteins used at the point of care require a certain purity, there remains a need to integrate protein synthesis and protein purification on a microfluidic chip, utilizing the integral advantages of microfluidics, 41,42 to obtain the desired recombinant proteins by a simple operation.…”