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

BPN378: High-Density Spheroid Arrays for 3-D Liver Cell Culture and Secretion Analysis

Mimi Zhang
2007

Previous efforts toward preparing multicellular aggregates (spheroids) have been made in traditional rocker-plate [1], porous foam block [2], and microarray chip cultures [3] in order to maintain liver-specific functions in vitro. These approaches all employ static culture methods and thus physiological flow conditions could not be simulated. Furthermore, the ability to analyze cell viability and function in a high-throughput manner is hindered due to the opaque substrates used in all three systems. To effectively coalesce otherwise monolayer liver cells seeded into microfluidic...

NT12: Minimally Invasive MEMS Based Optical Coherence Tomography for in-vivo Imaging

Daniel McCormick
2007

The objective of this work is to develop a miniature MEMS based probe for high speed, high resolution, in-vivo 3-D optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. The realization of a small scale OCT system with high spatial and velocity resolution as well as rapid image acquisition rates has numerous applications in medicine, including real-time optical biopsies.

Project end date: 08/14/07

APP93: MEMS Biopolymer: RF-Interrogated Biosensor (MIB): Sensor Design

Sebastien Payen
2007

An interdisciplinary research program bridging the domains of biochemistry, radiofrequency I.D. tags, telecommunications, and intelligent network interface is outlined. In this proposal is described a MEMS RF-Interrogated Biosensor (MIB). The MIB is a microfabricated structure that can communicate biometric data to a reader a few feet away. The use of a passive device enables to build a cheap, powerless and wireless biosensor.

Project end date: 01/28/08

BPN312: High Precision Kinematic Assembly of Soft-State Biofluidic ASICs

Christy Trinkle
2007

Microfluidic chips have made it possible to manipulate biological fluidic samples in increasingly smaller volumes—even enabling multiplexed study of individual cells. Performing biological assays using microfluidic technology not only makes them more portable when compared to their traditional counterparts, but also decreases testing time and cost. These biofluidic circuits vary widely in design and function: multiplexed cell electroporation, on-chip cell culturing, cell-cell communication monitoring, protein crystallization, and small volume sample analysis are only a few examples...

BPN408: Microscale Surgical Repair of Nerves

Wesley Chang
2007

As part of a long term effort to develop the capabilities for direct, subcellular repair of nerve cells after traumatic injury, we have developed a suite of novel, microscale surgical tools for precise cutting, manipulating, and grafting of individual axons (the long, slender processes extending from neurons).

Project end date: 01/29/08

APP81: MEMS Biopolymer: Silicon Nanowire-Based Biochemical Sensors

Inkyu Park
2008

Our long term goal is to develop an in-vitro intra and/or extracellular protein analysis system by taking advantage of highly sensitive silicon nanowire sensor. Thus far, a variety of methods have been developed for the detection of proteins and biomolecules from cells: flight-of-time mass spectroscopy, electrophoresis, immunofluorescence, etc. However, these existing methods are not yet suitable for single-cell analysis, require high analyte concentration and large cell population, and do not provide high spatial resolution. Our approach is to use a silicon nanowire-based sensor for...

BPN363: MEMS Biopolymer: RF-Interrogated Biosensor MIB:Hydrogel Formulation

Supone Manakasettharn
2008

The goal of this research project is to make hydrogels fully compatible with microfabrication processes. Hydrogels are polymers whose matrix swell when in contact with water. Our hydrogels will be able to change reversibly and reproducibly their volume by swelling or contracting in response to their environmental changes. In order to achieve this project, we will alter viscosity of the hydrogel solution to make it easier to spin coat, conduct a design of experiment to optimize hydrogel patterning, characterize hydrogel swelling and functionalize hydrogels to respond to different...

BPN350: A Ferrofluid Immunoassay Based on Magnetic Field-Induced Birefringence

Benjamin Ku
2008

This project exploits the unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) to develop a new type of biological assay. In the proposed assay, binding events between biological molecules and functionalized MNPs are detected by changes in the frequency-dependent magnetic relaxation signal of the MNPs. The relaxation time is determined by Brownian rotation of the particles in solution and is directly proportional to the particle volume. By appropriate selection of the particle properties, nanometer-scale changes in particle diameter can be detected. The detection method relies on a...

BPN449: Plasmon Engineering the Nanocrescent

Benjamin Ross
2008

We present a systematic numerical study of plasmon resonance in the nanocrescent. We show that by varying the nanocrescent geometry, the plasmon resonance peak can be tuned into the near-infrared and local field enhancement can be increased significantly. Because its wide tunability, high local field enhancement, and geometry which utilizes both a sharp edge and intra-particle coupling, the nanocrescent is a structure well-suited for in vivo biological applications.

Project end date: 08/12/08

BPN340: Single Cell Differential Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis Using High Density Hydrodynamic Cell Trapping Arrays

J. Tanner Nevill
Daniele Malleo
2008

Cells are usually studied in bulk quantities: they are suspended in a cell culture mixture and this suspension is usually analyzed. However, uncertainties and difficulties arise from the study of mixtures and volume fractions: for example it is extremely difficult if not impossible to discover a single cancerous cell in a population of healthy cells. It is immediately obvious that the study of individually-addressed cells can enhance our understanding of their structure and behavior. Here we present a device that allows the trapping, manipulation and simultaneous electrical/optical...