Harnessing sperm dynamics in microfluidic sorting technologies

哺乳动物生殖道是一个复杂的微环境，它通过一系列流变学、生化和几何线索进化来选择最好的精子进行受精。该项目旨在设计第一个多路平台，在自然过程的指导下，根据所有关键的选择标准：形态、游泳行为和DNA完整性，全自动快速选择精子。预期的结果是下一代精子分类和分析技术。这应该会带来重大的好处，例如对哺乳动物生殖的新的生物物理见解，并有可能在未来改进辅助生殖技术--澳大利亚在这一领域拥有世界领先的历史。

Mammalian reproductive tract is a complex microenvironment that has evolved to select the best sperm for fertilisation using a range of rheological, biochemical and geometrical cues. The project aims to engineer the first multiplexed platform, informed by the natural process, for fully automated and rapid selection of sperm based on all key selection criteria: morphology, swimming behaviour, and DNA integrity. The expected outcome is the next generation technology for sperm sorting and analysis. This should provide significant benefits, such as new biophysical insights into mammalian reproduction, with potential for future improvement of assisted reproduction technologies – a field in which Australia has a world leading history.