Contact:
Andrea Pfreundt: anpf@nanotech.dtu.dk
Maria Dimaki: madi@nanotech.dtu.dk
Aim
Your aim will be to test and further develop a microfluidic device that is capable of delivering different liquids to a sample chamber sequentially without cross contamination and air inclusion. The liquids are stored on the chip in separate reservoirs and need to end up in a waste chamber in the end.
Background
One of the key elements in an affinity based biosensor is the bio-functional layer; the interface between the transduction/sensing element and the sample to be measured on. Since the functionality of this interface layer determines much of the sensitivity and detection limits of the sensor, it is of exceptional importance in the field of Point-of-Care devices in diagnostics and for personalized medicine. Biomarkers (such as proteins, DNA or RNA fragments, metabolites) need to bind to a corresponding receptor molecule, which is often immobilized on a surface, in order to create a detection event. The ability to create reproducible and fully functional sensor surfaces composed of these receptors and to keep them stable until a measurement is performed is a challenge.
Description
We are developing a platform that enables the multiplexed functionalization of sensors surfaces with the required receptor molecules for the detection of biomarkers just before the measurement is performed. In this way, the sensor does not need to be stored with a functionalized surface, which often loses its functionality quickly over time leading to a short shelf-life of devices. The sensitive biological molecules can be stored separately and in favorable conditions until the sensor is needed. In order to achieve this, a microfluidic system is being developed that can be actuated to deliver and mix liquids in a sequential and accurately timed manner that is easy to operate. Additionally, it is important to retain all liquids inside the device to avoid any contamination and enable simple disposal of used devices.
You will be working with the fabrication and testing of microfluidic devices for the sequential delivery of fluids to a sample chamber.
You will learn:
- how to fabricate polymer devices by micro milling and laser cutting
- how to design microfluidic devices using AutoCAD
- to work in a microfluidic laboratory
- about biological assays
