Microfluidic Particle Reactors: From Interface Characteristics to Cells and Drugs Related Biomedical Applications

Abstract

AbstractFunctional microfluidic particle reactors (MPRs), prepared with microfluidic emulsions with biomaterials as the templates, can directly encapsulate bioactive substances to achieve different biomedical applications. Different types of MPRs (such as single structure MPRs, mixed structure MPRs, and all‐aqueous structure MPRs) have multifarious functions owing to the prominent interface characteristics endowed by emulsion templates with exquisite controlled fluid components and interface structures, as well as functional biomaterials with attractive properties. Notably, the constructed MPRs are endowed with better controllability, biocompatibility, and injectability with the significant advances in the burgeoning droplet microfluidic technology and material science. This contributes to the improvement of the flexibility and degree of freedom of the MPRs supporting cell and drug‐related biomedical applications (such as 3D cell culture, cell/drug delivery, and controlled drug release), leading to more effective diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, the correlation between the particle structure, determined by optimizing emulsion template fluid components and interfacial complexity, and the interface characteristics of the MPRs are primarily investigated. Next, the interface characteristics of the MPRs expanded by functional biomaterials are reviewed, as well as the distinct properties of MPRs in the biomedical applications related to cells and drugs. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives are discussed to improve the unique interface characteristics of MPRs in broader biomedical applications.