Fatty Acid Ratios as Parameters to Discriminate Between Normal and Tumoral Cells and Compare Drug Treatments in Cancer Cells

The fatty acid (FA) composition of cell membranes represents a metabolic biomarker. However, the FA profile reproducibility in cell cultures remains a significant challenge. In this study, cell FA ratios are validated as metabolic markers alternative to cell FA. To this goal, cell samples belonging to cancer HeLa cells and normal 3T3 fibroblasts, from various experimental sets, are analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled with a photodiode array detector and evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-DAD/ELSD), and the ratios among the main FA are calculated. Principal component analysis (PCA) separately performed on FA and FA ratio data indicates similar clustering of cell samples concerning the cell type. Moreover, similar scores values t[1] and t[2] and graphical distances are calculated in the PCA plots separately performed on FA and FA ratios measured in cancer HeLa cells subjected to various antitumoral compounds. Last, PCA applied to selected FA ratios measured in various cell lines, obtained in similar experimental conditions, allows to discriminate between normal and tumoral cells. The results substantiate FA ratios as a cell-specific fingerprint, characterized by reproducibility across intra-laboratory conditions, useful for cell characterization, discrimination between normal and tumoral cells, and the comparison of different drug treatments. Practical Applications: The reproducibility of the fatty acid (FA) profile in cell cultures remains a significant challenge. Results obtained from this study improve knowledge about the role of the FA ratio profile as a cell-specific fingerprint characterized by reproducibility across intra-laboratory conditions. The characterization of the specific FA ratio profile of a cell culture, under standardized experimental conditions, can facilitate the comparative evaluation of cell data sets for nutritional, metabolic, and pharmacological studies, overcoming differences in cell culture conditions and FA extraction/analytical procedures.     

Embedding Function within Additively Manufactured Parts: Materials Challenges and Opportunities

As additive manufacturing (AM), particularly metal and polymer-based 3D printing, progresses from a scientific curiosity to an industry mainstay, there is an increasing desire for parts to take on secondary roles beyond their primary, typically structural or mechanical, function. This may enable unique and broad-ranging functional customization, including monitoring part performance or its local environment, provisions for unique identifiers in tracking, anticounterfeiting, quality control, and even product certification. Many materials and processing compatibility requirements must be addressed to achieve embedded function, as embedded fillers or additives must not compromise either the part's production or its primary function. Herein, the material, technological, and processing challenges are highlighted for embedding function into parts produced by some of the most popular AM techniques, with examples provided from the literature. While it is possible to produce cavities within 3D printed parts and place functional components within them postbuild, approaches, herein, specifically explore direct incorporation of functional agents, fillers, and additives during the build process that imparts ancillary function. It is hoped to inspire exploration of the possibilities and enhancements achievable through functional AM. On account of its versatility, binder jetting is analyzed as a case study, with novel approaches for embedding new functions outlined.