Microsystems engineering, micromanufacturing and cell-scale assembly
The microsystems engineering technologies research program looks to create and apply new ways of manipulating objects and cells with microscale precision, including high-throughput separation and the coordinated assembly and patterning into designed configurations, with a focus on translatable outcomes in cell cultures, tissues and therapeutics.
Coordinating the motion of cells and other microscale objects has important applications in cell analysis, tissue engineering and diagnostics.
Performing micromanipulation requires the ability to generate concerted forces and force gradients on the microscale, where acoustic, electric and optical fields can be applied at the scale of individual cells. Creating systems that accomplish this, however, requires the design and use of specialized microsystems that utilize microscale physics in their operation.
The microsystems engineering technologies research program at the Graeme Clark Institute looks to create and apply new ways of manipulating objects and cells with microscale precision, including high-throughput separation and the coordinated assembly and patterning into designed configurations, with a focus on translatable outcomes in cell cultures, tissues and therapeutics.
Capabilities
- Microfluidics (the use of small fluid/sample volumes in defined fluidic geometries
- Ultra-resolution 3D microprinting (utilizing self-built and commercial instruments to create 3D features)
- Microfabrication (device creation utilizing microchip manufacturing methods)
- Simulation (2D and 3D physics-based numerical analysis)
- Acoustofluidics (application of acoustic fields for micromanipulation)
- Application of optics and electrical fields
Impact
Ongoing partnerships with start-ups and enterprises to create new devices for treatment and diagnostics, including translating these to clinical practice.
Program Lead
Dr David Collins