IDBR: Development of A Multiplexed Microfluidic Coulter Counting Instrument

该奖项是为了表彰用于细胞、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的开发。样品将通过多个大小可调的流体通道，用一对电极同时进行测量。动态通道调制和信号多路复用的使用将使从大量通道获取数据成为可能，而无需为每个通道单独使用检测电子设备。除了该仪器的科学益处外，该奖项还将涉及最先进的微流控生物传感器的学生。这项研究的概念、活动和结果将作为现实世界的例子被纳入本科生和研究生的课程。学生还将通过该大学的本科生研究计划、增加工程学术多样性计划和女性工程计划来招生。中学生，包括那些有特殊学习障碍的学生，和他们的老师将通过由NSF教育补助金资助的暑期和周六研讨会，亲身体验尖端生物MEMS技术。一门基于网络的课程《MEMS：基础与实践》将通过该大学的远程学习网络向扩展社区广播。近年来，该州大量制造业工作岗位被海外制造商抢走，调查人员预计，该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.