BioMEMS

Research that includes:

  • Immunosensors
  • Single Cell Analysis
  • Cell Manipulation and Probing
  • SERS BioImaging
  • Micro Total Analysis Systems uTAS
  • DNA Transformations
  • Cell Cryropreservation
  • Optoelectronic Transport & Tweezers

BPN512: Electrophysiological Cell Sorting

Frank B. Myers
2013

We are developing a high-throughput microsystem which sorts cells based on their response to electrical stimulation. Electrophysiological measurements are commonly used to identify subpopulations of electrically-excitable cells such as myocytes and neurons and to determine the degree to which stem cells have differentiated into these cell types. However, there currently exist no technologies capable of rapidly sorting cells based on electrophysiological parameters. There is a clinical need for label-free sorting of stem cell-derived cells for tissue replacement therapies because...

BPN584: Design, Fabrication and Testing of a High Density, Large Area µECoG Array

Peter Ledochowitsch
Raphael Tiefenauer
2013

Electrocorticography (ECoG) strives to bridge the gap between traditional electroencephalography (EEG) and microneedle array recordings. While requiring a craniectomy, ECoG does not damage cortical tissue and is thus less invasive than microneedles. ECoG can achieve significantly higher spatiotemporal resolution than EEG because ECoG-electrodes are placed much closer to the signal sources in the brain. Commercially available ECoG arrays feature a small number of channels (<64) and a large electrode pitch (> 4 mm). Such coarse arrays likely undersample the signals available on...

BPN690: Manipulating Cellular Behavior and Wound Healing via Local Electric Field Stimulation

Daniel J. Cohen
2013

One of the first things that happens when you cut your skin is that a DC electric field arises at the wound site. This field, first discovered in the mid-1800s, is called 'the wound field', and has been shown to exist in a variety of forms in a variety of wounds. The salient point of the wound field is that there is reason to believe that we may be able to manipulate it to improve how our injuries heal in certain cases. In particular, we are considering assisting healing of injuries to skin, intestine, and bone using a device that can encompass the wound site, monitor particular...

BPN675: Implantable Micro Drug Delivery System

Chen Yang
2014

Implantable drug delivery devices that allow for remote, repeatable, and reliable drug delivery are expected to greatly improve the efficacy of medical treatments in the near future. However, few delivery systems to date have met the necessary requirements – sufficient drug storage, precision control over drug delivery, and on-demand activation – to be broadly useful. In this project, we develop an implantable drug delivery device that can be remotely controlled and provide drug on the on- demand basis for several years without replacement. We develop drug release mechanisms and...

BPN717: Proof of Concept: Self-Assembly of a Multi-Cellular Synthetic-Biological Hybrid

Tom J. Zajdel
2014

This year-long proof of concept explores the interplay between bacterial communication circuits and the surface topology of the substrate they are on, to see if certain designed surface features can be made to trigger genetic development switches. Differentiation due to a diffusible chemical signal is central in the development of multicellular organisms. Success in replicating this strategy on a synthetic structure enables a spatially programmable consortium of bacterial cells. Our aims were to enable the self-assembly of multicellular microbial films on the surface of synthetic...

BPN438: Microengineered Technologies for Controlling Cellular Functions

Ryan D. Sochol
2014

Mechanical engineering methods and microfabrication techniques offer powerful means for solving biological challenges. In particular, micro/nanofabrication processes enable researchers to engineer technologies at scales that are biologically relevant and advantageous for both controlling and sensing cellular functions. Here, novel micro/nanoengineered platforms are employed to investigate and regulate cellular processes.

Project end date: 08/15/14

BPN473: Next-Generation Microfluidic Components, Circuits and Systems

Ryan D. Sochol
2014

Mechanical engineering methods and microfabrication techniques offer powerful means for solving biological challenges. In particular, microfabrication processes enable researchers to develop technologies at scales that are biologically relevant and advantageous for executing biochemical reactions. Here, microfluidic, optofluidic, an 3D printing-based methodologies are employed to develop autonomous microfluidic components, circuits, and systems for chemical and biological applications.

Project end date: 08/15/14

BPN622: Design of an Ex Vivo Prototype of a Bioartificial Kidney

Peter Soler
2014

The goal of this project is to design, fabricate, and study a bioartificial kidney. The motivation behind the project is to further the development toward an implantable bioartificial human kidney that will improve quality of life and reduce cost for end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. My proposed device contains two units: i) a hemofilter based upon nanoporous silicon membranes, and ii) a bioreactor composed of kidney proximal tubule (PT) cells. The focus of my study is to develop a device design that is optimized for adequate mass transport so as to mimic natural kidney...

BPN715: Stimuli Responsive Capsules for Drug Delivery and Diagnostic Applications

Chen Yang
2014

Particulate-based vaccines offer a safer alternative to traditional organism-based vaccines; however, their effectiveness to provoke immune response largely depends on the micro/nano- delivery systems carrying the antigen. In this project, we introduce a new class of functional microcapsules that offer the potential to not only overcome a number of hurdles associated with current particulate vaccine manufacturing technology (e.g., exposure of antigens to organic solvents or degradation during encapsulation), but also enable new functionalities for transporting the microcapsules and...

BPN757: Biosensors Based on Biologically Responsive Polymers

Kiana Aran
2015

This project presents the design, fabrication and testing of novel plastic-based lab-on a chip (LOC) biosensors which utilize stimuli responsive polymers as their recognition element. The biosensors are composed of interdigitated electrodes (IDE) coated with a thin film of a responsive polymer. In the presence of stimuli, the responsive polymer degrades from the surface of the IDE, and generates a measurable electrical signal that correlates with the amount of stimuli present in the sample. This technology can be utilized as an accurate, label-free, cost-effective method for...