Integrated MEMS and Microfluidics for Biophysical Characterization

We are pursuing the integration of MEMS sensors and microfluidics for biophysical characterization. Studies of biophysical properties play an important role in understanding various biomolecular processes. For example, measurement of viscous, viscoelastic and thermodynamic properties of solutions of biomolecules provides quantitative information on biomolecular conformational transitions and interactions, such as DNA hybridization and denaturation, protein folding and unfolding, and interactions of DNA, proteins and ligands. Conventional instruments for such biophysical measurements are bulky, expensive or labor intensive, and require large amounts of biological materials that are typically expensive or rare. Miniaturized instruments that integrate MEMS sensors and microfluidic elements will effectively address these limitations and allow biophysical measurements to be performed with, for example, optimized sensitivity and throughput, maximized spatial/temporal resolution, and minimized consumption of biological samples and reagents. Currently, we are developing the science and technology for devices that integrate vibrational and calorimetric microsensors with microfluidic measurement environments for measuring viscosity, viscoelasticity and thermodynamic properties of biomolecules. Our early-stage efforts in this thrust have thus far focused on viscometric and calorimetric biosensors.

Projects

- MEMS viscometers with integrated microfluidics
- MEMS calorimeters for thermodynamic characterization of biomolecules
- MEMS proximity sensors for a robotically guided endoscope