IDBR: Development of A Multiplexed Microfluidic Coulter Counting Instrument

该奖项旨在表彰其开发的用于细胞、生物分子和生物颗粒（如花粉粒）生物分析的小型化高通量库尔特计数仪器。样品将通过多个可调节大小的流体通道，用一对电极同时测量。动态信道调制和信号多路复用的使用将使从大量信道中获取数据成为可能，而无需为每个信道单独检测电子设备。除了仪器的科学效益外，该奖项还将让学生参与最先进的微流体生物传感器。本研究的概念、活动和结果将作为实际案例纳入本科和研究生课程。学生也将通过大学的本科研究项目、增加工程学术多样性项目和女性工程项目招募。中学生，包括那些有特殊学习障碍的学生，以及他们的老师将通过由美国国家科学基金会教育拨款资助的夏季和周六研讨会，亲身体验尖端的生物医学技术。基于网络的课程？MEMS：基础和实践？，将通过大学的远程学习网络向扩展社区播出。近年来，该州有相当多的制造业工作岗位被海外制造商抢走，研究人员预计，这个项目将有助于在该地区培养一种高科技氛围。

This award is for the development of a miniaturized high-throughput Coulter counting instrument for bioassays of cells, biomolecules and bio-particles such as pollen grains. The samples will pass through multiple fluid channels of adjustable size to be measured simultaneously with a single pair of electrodes. The use of dynamic channel modulation and signal multiplexing will make it possible to acquire data from a large number of channels without individual detection electronics for each channel. In addition to the scientific benefits of the instrument, this award will involve students in state-of-the-art microfluidic biosensors. The concept, activities, and results from this research will be incorporated into undergraduate and graduate courses as real-world examples. Students will be recruited also through the university's Undergraduate Research Program, Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics program and Women in Engineering Program. Middle school students, including those with special learning disabilities, and their teachers will have hands-on experiences with cutting edge BioMEMS technology through summer and Saturday workshops funded by an NSF education grant. A network-based course, ?MEMS: basics & practice?, will be broadcast to the extended community through the university's Distance Learning Network. The state has lost a considerable number of manufacturing jobs to overseas manufacturers in recent years, and the investigators anticipate that this project will help to cultivate a high-tech atmosphere in the region.