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Membranes
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Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences
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Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2021) | Viewed by 18455

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Simona Salerno

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Guest Editor
Institute on Membrane Technology, National Research Council of Italy, ITM-CNR, Via P. Bucci Cubo 17c, I-87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Interests: membranes and membrane bioreactors applied to health and life sciences; bioartificial organs and engineered tissues; cell-membrane interactions; membranes-in vitro models for drug testing, drug delivery and disease investigations; regenerative medicine; biohybrid membrane systems; membrane bio-functionalization; membranes in bioseparation processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Enrico Drioli

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Guest Editor
National Research Council Institute on Membrane Technology (ITM-CNR), c/o University of Calabria, Cubo 17C, 87036 Rende, Italy
Interests: membrane science and engineering; membranes in artificial organs; integrated membrane processes; membrane preparation and transport phenomena in membranes; membrane distillation and membrane contactors; catalytic membrane and catalytic membrane reactors; desalination of brackish and saline water; salinity-gradient energy fuel cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Loredana De Bartolo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute on Membrane Technology (ITM-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, c/o University of Calabria, via P. Bucci cubo 17/C, I-87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Interests: design of micro- and nano-structured membranes; bioengineering of membrane bioreactors, bioartificial organs/tissues; membrane interfacial properties; tissue engineering; in vitro membrane platform
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interest in membranes and membrane bioreactors for health and life sciences is rapidly growing thanks to the wide applications that they have found in advanced therapies and biotechnologies. Therapeutic approaches include the integration of membranes and membrane bioreactors for tissue regeneration and repair, for drug testing and drug delivery, and for cell therapy. Innovative biotechnologies employ membranes and membrane bioreactors for the production and selective separation of biological and bioactive molecules, for the design of diagnostic systems, and for the development of new drugs and pharmaceutical compounds.

The Special Issue on “Membranes and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Science” of the journal Membranes collects contributions to assess the state-of-the-art and future developments in the field. Topics include but are not limited to membrane preparation and characterization, membrane bioreactor design, and membrane and membrane bioreactor applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in drug testing, in drug release, and in advanced biotechnologies for diagnostics, pharmaceutics, and cosmetics. Authors are invited to submit their latest results; both original papers and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Simona Salerno
Prof. Enrico Drioli
Dr. Loredana De Bartolo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • membranes
  • membrane bioreactors
  • tissue engineering
  • regenerative medicine
  • cell therapy
  • drug testing
  • drug release
  • biotechnology
  • diagnostics

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

4 pages, 196 KiB  
Editorial
Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences
by Simona Salerno, Enrico Drioli and Loredana De Bartolo
Membranes 2022, 12(6), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12060598 - 09 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1212
Abstract
The interest in membranes and membrane bioreactors for health and life sciences is rapidly growing thanks to their wide applications in advanced therapies and biotechnologies [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 5910 KiB  
Article
Hierarchically Assembled Type I Collagen Fibres as Biomimetic Building Blocks of Biomedical Membranes
by Jie Yin, David J. Wood, Stephen J. Russell and Giuseppe Tronci
Membranes 2021, 11(8), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080620 - 12 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2847
Abstract
Wet spinning is an established fibre manufacturing route to realise collagen fibres with preserved triple helix architecture and cell acceptability for applications in biomedical membranes. However, resulting fibres still need to be chemically modified post-spinning to ensure material integrity in physiological media, with [...] Read more.
Wet spinning is an established fibre manufacturing route to realise collagen fibres with preserved triple helix architecture and cell acceptability for applications in biomedical membranes. However, resulting fibres still need to be chemically modified post-spinning to ensure material integrity in physiological media, with inherent risks of alteration of fibre morphology and with limited opportunities to induce fibrillogenesis following collagen fixation in the crosslinked state. To overcome this challenge, we hypothesised that a photoactive type I collagen precursor bearing either single or multiple monomers could be employed to accomplish hierarchically assembled fibres with improved processability, macroscopic properties and nanoscale organisation via sequential wet spinning and UV-curing. In-house-extracted type I rat tail collagen functionalised with both 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (4VBC) and methacrylate residues generated a full hydrogel network following solubilisation in a photoactive aqueous solution and UV exposure, whereby ~85 wt.% of material was retained following 75-day hydrolytic incubation. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of typical collagen patterns, whilst an averaged compression modulus and swelling ratio of more than 290 kPa and 1500 wt.% was recorded in the UV-cured hydrogel networks. Photoactive type I collagen precursors were subsequently wet spun into fibres, displaying the typical dichroic features of collagen and regular fibre morphology. Varying tensile modulus (E = 5 ± 1 − 11 ± 4 MPa) and swelling ratio (SR = 1880 ± 200 − 3350 ± 500 wt.%) were measured following post-spinning UV curing and equilibration with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Most importantly, 72-h incubation of the wet spun fibres in PBS successfully induced renaturation of collagen-like fibrils, which were fixed following UV-induced network formation. The whole process proved to be well tolerated by cells, as indicated by a spread-like cell morphology following a 48-h culture of L929 mouse fibroblasts on the extracts of UV-cured fibres. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences)
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13 pages, 4021 KiB  
Article
Nano- and Micro-Porous Chitosan Membranes for Human Epidermal Stratification and Differentiation
by Simona Salerno, Maria Penelope De Santo, Enrico Drioli and Loredana De Bartolo
Membranes 2021, 11(6), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11060394 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2995
Abstract
The creation of partial or complete human epidermis represents a critical aspect and the major challenge of skin tissue engineering. This work was aimed at investigating the effect of nano- and micro-structured CHT membranes on human keratinocyte stratification and differentiation. To this end, [...] Read more.
The creation of partial or complete human epidermis represents a critical aspect and the major challenge of skin tissue engineering. This work was aimed at investigating the effect of nano- and micro-structured CHT membranes on human keratinocyte stratification and differentiation. To this end, nanoporous and microporous membranes of chitosan (CHT) were prepared by phase inversion technique tailoring the operational parameters in order to obtain nano- and micro-structured flat membranes with specific surface properties. Microporous structures with different mean pore diameters were created by adding and dissolving, in the polymeric solution, polyethylene glycol (PEG Mw 10,000 Da) as porogen, with a different CHT/PEG ratio. The developed membranes were characterized and assessed for epidermal construction by culturing human keratinocytes on them for up to 21 days. The overall results demonstrated that the membrane surface properties strongly affect the stratification and terminal differentiation of human keratinocytes. In particular, human keratinocytes adhered on nanoporous CHT membranes, developing the structure of the corneum epidermal top layer, characterized by low thickness and low cell proliferation. On the microporous CHT membrane, keratinocytes formed an epidermal basal lamina, with high proliferating cells that stratified and differentiated over time, migrating along the z axis and forming a multilayered epidermis. This strategy represents an attractive tissue engineering approach for the creation of specific human epidermal strata for testing the effects and toxicity of drugs, cosmetics and pollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences)
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21 pages, 3805 KiB  
Article
Effects of Scaffold Pore Morphologies on Glucose Transport Limitations in Hollow Fibre Membrane Bioreactor for Bone Tissue Engineering: Experiments and Numerical Modelling
by Shuai Wang, Hazwani Suhaimi, Mostafa Mabrouk, Stella Georgiadou, John P. Ward and Diganta B. Das
Membranes 2021, 11(4), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11040257 - 02 Apr 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2468
Abstract
In the current research, three electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with different pore morphology induced by changing the electrospinning parameters, spinning time and rate, have been prepared in order to provide a fundamental understanding on the effects pore morphology have on nutrient transport behaviour [...] Read more.
In the current research, three electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with different pore morphology induced by changing the electrospinning parameters, spinning time and rate, have been prepared in order to provide a fundamental understanding on the effects pore morphology have on nutrient transport behaviour in hollow fibre membrane bioreactor (HFMB). After determining the porosity of the scaffolds, they were investigated for glucose diffusivity using cell culture media (CCM) and distilled water in a diffusion cell at 37 °C. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the microstructure of the scaffolds were analysed further using ImageJ software to determine the porosity and glucose diffusivity. A Krogh cylinder model was used to determine the glucose transport profile with dimensionless variables within the HFMB. The paper discusses the roles of various dimensionless numbers (e.g., Péclet and Damköhler numbers) and non-dimensional groups of variables (e.g., non-dimensional fibre radius) on determining glucose concentration profiles, especially in the scaffold region. A negative linear relationship between glucose diffusivities across PCL scaffolds and the minimum glucose concentrations (i.e., concentration on the outer fibre edge on the outlet side (at z = 1 and r = 3.2) was also found. It was shown that the efficiency of glucose consumption improves with scaffolds of higher diffusivities. The results of this study are expected to help in optimizing designs of HFMB as well as carry out more accurate up scaling analyses for the bioreactor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences)
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18 pages, 3015 KiB  
Article
Nonwoven Ion-Exchange Membranes with High Protein Binding Capacity for Bioseparations
by Solomon Mengistu Lemma, Cristiana Boi and Ruben G. Carbonell
Membranes 2021, 11(3), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11030181 - 06 Mar 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3043
Abstract
This study presents the preparation and characterization of UV-grafted polybutylene terepthalate (PBT) ion exchange nonwoven membranes for chromatographic purification of biomolecules. The PBT nonwoven was functionalized with sulfonate and secondary amine for cation and anion exchange (CEX and AEX), respectively. The anion exchange [...] Read more.
This study presents the preparation and characterization of UV-grafted polybutylene terepthalate (PBT) ion exchange nonwoven membranes for chromatographic purification of biomolecules. The PBT nonwoven was functionalized with sulfonate and secondary amine for cation and anion exchange (CEX and AEX), respectively. The anion exchange membrane showed an equilibrium static binding capacity of 1300 mg BSA/g of membrane, while the cationic membranes achieved a maximum equilibrium binding capacity of over 700 mg hIgG/g of membrane. The CEX and AEX membranes resulted in dynamic binding capacities under flow conditions, with a residence time of 0.1 min, of 200 mg hIgG/mL of membrane and 55 mg BSA/mL of membrane, respectively. The selectivity of the PBT-CEX membranes was demonstrated by purifying antibodies and antibody fragments (hIgG and scFv) from CHO cell culture supernatants in a bind-an-elute mode. The purity of the eluted samples exceeded 97%, with good log removal values (LRV) for both host cell proteins (HCPs) and DNA. The PBT-AEX nonwoven membranes exhibited a DNA LRV of 2.6 from hIgG solutions in a flow-through mode with little loss of product. These results indicate that these membranes have significant potential for use in downstream purification of biologics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences)
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13 pages, 2590 KiB  
Article
Comparison between Lipase Performance Distributed at the O/W Interface by Membrane Emulsification and by Mechanical Stirring
by Emma Piacentini, Rosalinda Mazzei and Lidietta Giorno
Membranes 2021, 11(2), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11020137 - 16 Feb 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2173
Abstract
Multiphase bioreactors using interfacial biocatalysts are unique tools in life sciences such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology. In such systems, the formation of microdroplets promotes the mass transfer of reagents between two different phases, and the reaction occurs at the liquid–liquid interface. Membrane emulsification [...] Read more.
Multiphase bioreactors using interfacial biocatalysts are unique tools in life sciences such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology. In such systems, the formation of microdroplets promotes the mass transfer of reagents between two different phases, and the reaction occurs at the liquid–liquid interface. Membrane emulsification is a technique with unique properties in terms of precise manufacturing of emulsion droplets in mild operative conditions suitable to preserve the stability of bioactive labile components. In the present work, membrane emulsification technology was used for the production of a microstructured emulsion bioreactor using lipase as a catalyst and as a surfactant at the same time. An emulsion bioreaction system was also prepared by the stirring method. The kinetic resolution of (S,R)-naproxen methyl ester catalyzed by the lipase from Candida rugosa to obtain (S)-naproxen acid was used as a model reaction. The catalytic performance of the enzyme in the emulsion systems formulated with the two methods was evaluated in a stirred tank reactor and compared. Lipase showed maximum enantioselectivity (100%) and conversion in the hydrolysis of (S)-naproxen methyl ester when the membrane emulsification technique was used for biocatalytic microdroplets production. Moreover, the controlled formulation of uniform and stable droplets permitted the evaluation of lipase amount distributed at the interface and therefore the evaluation of enzyme specific activity as well as the estimation of the hydrodynamic radius of the enzyme at the oil/water (o/w) interface in its maximum enantioselectivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences)
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16 pages, 4533 KiB  
Article
Block Copolymer-Based Magnetic Mixed Matrix Membranes—Effect of Magnetic Field on Protein Permeation and Membrane Fouling
by Lakshmeesha Upadhyaya, Mona Semsarilar, Damien Quemener, Rodrigo Fernández-Pacheco, Gema Martinez, Isabel M. Coelhoso, Suzana P. Nunes, João G. Crespo, Reyes Mallada and Carla A. M. Portugal
Membranes 2021, 11(2), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11020105 - 02 Feb 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2592
Abstract
In this study, we report the impact of the magnetic field on protein permeability through magnetic-responsive, block copolymer, nanocomposite membranes with hydrophilic and hydrophobic characters. The hydrophilic nanocomposite membranes were composed of spherical polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized through polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) with iron [...] Read more.
In this study, we report the impact of the magnetic field on protein permeability through magnetic-responsive, block copolymer, nanocomposite membranes with hydrophilic and hydrophobic characters. The hydrophilic nanocomposite membranes were composed of spherical polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized through polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) with iron oxide NPs coated with quaternized poly(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. The hydrophobic nanocomposite membranes were prepared via nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) containing poly (methacrylic acid) and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid-coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPNPs). The permeation experiments were carried out using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the model solute, in the absence of the magnetic field and under permanent and cyclic magnetic field conditions OFF/ON (strategy 1) and ON/OFF (strategy 2). It was observed that the magnetic field led to a lower reduction in the permeate fluxes of magnetic-responsive membranes during BSA permeation, regardless of the magnetic field strategy used, than that obtained in the absence of the magnetic field. Nevertheless, a comparative analysis of the effect caused by the two cyclic magnetic field strategies showed that strategy 2 allowed for a lower reduction of the original permeate fluxes during BSA permeation and higher protein sieving coefficients. Overall, these novel magneto-responsive block copolymer nanocomposite membranes proved to be competent in mitigating biofouling phenomena in bioseparation processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane and Membrane Bioreactors Applied to Health and Life Sciences)
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