The RLE Biological Microtechnology and BioMEMS Group performs research on microfluidics applied to fundamental and applied problems in cell biology. Our interests are specifically in cell sorting and stem cell biology. We take a quantitative approach to technology design, and take projects all the way from engineering design to fabrication to elucidating biological information with our technology.
We perform research at the intersection of biology and microtechnology, applying microfabrication technology to illuminate biological systems, especially at the cellular level. Specifically, we develop technologies that enhance or enable the acquisition of information from cells. Our research builds upon various disciplines: electrical engineering, microfabrication, bioengineering, surface science, fluid mechanics, mass transport, etc. We take a quantitative approach to designing our technology, using both analytical and numerical modeling to gain fundamental understanding of the technologies that we create.
Investigations:
Sensors for Assessing Cell Health in Microsystems
Image-Based Sorting of Cells
Microfluidic Control of Cell Pairing and Fusion
Iso-Dielectric Separation of Cells and Particles
Microprobes for the Neural System
Microfluidic Perfusion System for Stem Cell Biology
The group is led by Professor Joel Voldman