Development of Automation and MEMS Technologies for Biomedical Engineering

该研究计划将开发新的自动化技术和先进的MEMS（微机电系统），以推进基于细胞的研究中使用的生物医学仪器的最新技术水平。其动机是开发先进的仪器，用于疾病的早期检测和新的基于细胞的疗法的开发。 特别是，该研究计划将探索两个领域：（i）开发自动化技术以系统地分析和操纵活细胞，以及（ii）开发MEMS设备以捕获，分类和排列活细胞。自动化技术可以执行与统计量（即数千）的体外（即在培养皿中）细胞的分析和操作相关的高度重复和单调的任务，沿着具有所需的精度、可靠性和速度。 此外，MEMS技术提供了独特的方式，以选择性地和有效地分类，捕获和保持细胞在体外，基于其兼容的大小/规模的微生物学过程和现象。 具体研究目标包括：（a）开发稳健的机器视觉算法以识别细胞并将其分类为诸如细胞类型、细胞状态和细胞健康的类别，（B）开发基于光子的细胞性质测量以辅助分类，（c）开发具有分子的闭环控制递送的单细胞电穿孔，以及（d）开发MEMS装置以在体外捕获活细胞，将它们排列成预先安排好的结构，并使它们在较长的时间内保持活力。 这项工作将使新类型的应用，如：通过从大群体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。 该研究计划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，这些毕业生是加拿大各地生物医学公司所需要的。

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.