Invited Faculty Speaker Spring 2023

Jun-Chau Chien

Jun-Chau Chien, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences
University of California, Berkeley

CMOS Biotechnology for In Vivo Molecular Monitoring and In Vitro Diagnostics

Abstract

“Continuous” monitoring of specific biomarkers in real-time offers longitudinal information that can enable not only rapid medical decision-making but also early disease detection. As opposed to the current end-point diagnostics approaches, such a continuous-monitoring capability introduces a new dimension in achieving precision medicine and precision health. In this talk, I will present my research contributions toward this goal. Specifically, my research harvests the power of CMOS integrated circuits, applied physics, and advanced biotechnology to address biosensing requirements on sensitivity, specificity, throughput, multiplexing, device miniaturization, and system scaling. I will focus on two developed technology platforms: (1) an electrochemical-sensing wireless implant for in vivo monitoring of small molecules using reagentless structure-switching “aptamers” and (2) a cytometry-on-CMOS platform for high-throughput studies of the electromagnetic signatures at GHz frequencies. The former has broad applications including precision drug dosing and early disease detection, whereas the later has the potential for sensing circulating tumor cells from the blood. I will also present my recent activity in developing a high-resolution intraoperative imaging tool. Last, I will share some of my future research directions.

Biography

Jun-Chau Chien received B.S. and M.S. degrees from National Taiwan University in 2004 and 2006 and the Ph.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2015. He received postdoctoral training from 2017–2018 at Stanford University and served as a Research Engineer from 2018-2021 also at Stanford University. He was an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering at National Taiwan University from 2021-2022. He recently re-joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California Berkeley as an Assistant Professor. His research focuses on CMOS-based microsystems for in vitro and in vivo biosensing and high-speed millimeter-wave and mixed-signal circuits and systems. He is currently serving on ISSCC International Technical Program Committee.