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Microfluidic devices for biosensors and cell-chips
Photodetectors in lab-on-a-chip
Hydrogenated amorphous silicon photodetectors are being integrated with PDMS-based microfluidic networks for detection of biomolecules (DNA, proteins, toxins) and cells. The objective is to develop detection multiplex platforms that are fast, sensitive, portable and inexpensive.
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Cell-chips
A microfluidic platform is under development for the hydrodynamic trapping of E. coli cells. The cells are trapped in a work chamber where they can be monitored with optical or fluorescence microscopy. The number of cells in the chamber can be systematically and reproducibly controlled in the single digits by adjusting the conditions under which the cells are injected into the microfluidic platform. Once trapped, the cells remain in the trap while being exposed to flows of different media for periods up to and above 24h. The exposure of cells trapped in a microfluidic platform to a defined environment can be used to control their long-term viability and division. This microfluidic platform has a number of potential applications such as cell based biosenors, in which a cell’s response to complex stimuli is monitored; or in biological or biomedical research involving studies of single or few-cells in the presence of a controlled environment.
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Fig.1(a, left): Micrograph of the trapping chamber of the microfluidic device. Cells are injected from the top channel. After a stabilization period, the flow of cells is stopped and a flow of growth medium is injected from left to right. Fig. 1(b, right): Combined fluorescence and optical micrograph of the microfluidic trapping chamber with two E. coli cells expressing GFP trapped inside. The arrows point to the location of the cells.