Development of Automation and MEMS Technologies for Biomedical Engineering

该研究项目将开发新的自动化技术和先进的MEMS（微机电系统），以推进细胞研究中使用的生物医学仪器的最新技术。其动机是开发用于疾病早期检测的前沿仪器，以及开发新的基于细胞的疗法。特别是，该研究计划将探索两个领域：(i)开发自动化技术来系统地分析和操作活细胞，以及（ii）开发MEMS设备来捕获，分类和排列活细胞。自动化技术可以执行与体外（即培养皿中）细胞的分析和操作相关的高度重复和单调的任务，其统计数量（即数千），以及所需的精度，可靠性和速度。此外，MEMS技术提供了一种独特的方法，可以根据微生物过程和现象的尺寸/规模，选择性地、高效地在体外对细胞进行分类、捕获和保持。具体研究目标包括：(a)开发强大的机器视觉算法，以识别和分类细胞，如细胞类型、细胞状态和细胞健康；(b)开发基于光子的细胞特性测量，以协助分类；(c)开发单细胞电穿孔，以闭环控制分子输送；(d)开发MEMS设备，以捕获体外活细胞，将其排列成预先安排的配置，并使其长时间保持活力。这项工作将使新类型的应用成为可能，例如：通过从大量人群中检测罕见的异常细胞来诊断疾病，或通过将数千个细胞排列成特定的几何构型来进行组织工程应用。该研究项目将培养生物医学工程各个领域的本科生、硕士生和博士生。它将培养在生物医学仪器和设备开发的理论和实践方面都受过培训的毕业生，这些毕业生在加拿大各地的生物医学公司都很需要。

This research program will develop novel automation technologies and advanced MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) to advance the state of the art in biomedical instrumentation used in cell-based research. The motivation is to develop leading edge instrumentation for applications toward the early detection of disease, and the development of new cell-based therapies. In particular, the research program will explore two areas: (i) development of automation technologies to systematically analyze and manipulate live cells, and (ii) development of MEMS devices to capture, sort and array live cells. Automation technologies can perform the highly repetitive and monotonous tasks associated with the analysis and manipulation of cells in-vitro (i.e. in a Petri dish) in statistical amounts (i.e. multi-thousands), along with the required precision, reliability and speed. Additionally, MEMS technology provides for unique ways to selectively and efficiently sort, capture and hold cells in-vitro, based on their compatible size/scale for microbiological processes and phenomena. The specific research objectives include: (a) development of robust machine vision algorithms to identify and classify cells into categories such as cell type, cell state and cell health, (b) development of photonic-based measurement of cell properties to assist classification, (c) development of single-cell electroporation with closed-loop control delivery of molecules, and (d) development of MEMS devices to capture live cells in-vitro, array them into pre-arranged configurations, and keep them viable for extended periods. This work will enable new types of applications such as: diagnosis of disease by detection of rare abnormal cells from large populations, or tissue engineering applications by arraying of thousands of cells into specific geometric configurations. The research program will train undergraduate, Masters and Ph.D level students in various areas of biomedical engineering. It will produce graduates trained in both the theoretical and practical aspects of biomedical instrumentation and device development, who are in demand by biomedical companies throughout Canada.