Optofluidics-based sensing platforms

近年来，光学和微流体学的结合使光流体学从这两个领域的发展中获益。尤其是基于光流控的传感平台，在传感响应和分析物利用方面提供了重要的好处，并且非常适合于无标记生物传感。然而，一些在加拿大具有最高社会经济相关性的生物传感应用，例如癌症的早期发现和现场健康监测，仍然是一个挑战。 我们的研究小组正在致力于开发用于生物分析应用的新型无标签光流体传感器，其基础是将微结构和纳米结构的光学结构集成到微流控芯片中。光学元件将产生分析物检测所需的信号(例如，感染、心血管和癌症相关的生物标志物)，而微流体将提供在平台内有效地处理和处理样本(例如，体液)的手段。这些技术的发展将采用理论、计算模型和实验相结合的方法。这里提出的研究目标是在短期内实现的目标，但与这些发展相关的发现和研究将为研究计划的长期目标奠定基础。 在这一方向上，拟议的方案侧重于三个具体目标： (1)开发全集成、低成本的光流控平台，用于现场传感应用，包括智能手机操作的具有更好表面化学特性的纳米孔阵列光流控传感器。这一目标将促进加拿大许多省份现有的远程保健计划。 (2)基于纳米孔阵列的非常规性质，开发了一种基于光流控技术的同时富集和传感分析物的方法。这项技术的全面发展将促进基于纳米孔阵列的传感方法具有前所未有的检测极限，适用于需要传感超低浓度分析物的应用，如早期癌症检测。 (3)开发基于蜘蛛丝和其他天然材料的生物兼容光流控传感平台，作为无标签传感的生物光子学元件。这一目标为生物兼容光流体传感器的技术开发和光子学和生物材料科学的进一步基础研究提供了一个及时的机会。 根据这一研究计划培训的高素质人员(HQP)预计将在工程、生物化学和光子学等领域发展多学科技能，并在尖端技术方面获得宝贵的实践经验。从我的团队培训的HQP将拥有CAD建模、有限元分析(FEA)、微制造、实验技术、数据采集和分析等方面的技能。此外，HQP在他们的计划结束时将享受大量的沟通和人际锻炼。这种技能的结合将有助于我们训练有素的HQP在学术或工业研发部门追求职业生涯。

Optofluidics has recently emerged from the unification of optics and microfluidics, profiting from advances in both fields. Optofluidic-based sensing platforms, particularly, offer important benefits in terms of sensing response and analyte utilization, and are highly suitable for label-free biosensing. However, some biosensing applications with the highest socioeconomic relevance in Canada, such as the early detection of cancers and on-site health monitoring, still remain a challenge. Our research group is pursuing the development of new label-free optofluidic sensors for bioanalytical applications based on the integration of micro- and nanostructured optical structures into microfluidic chips. The optical elements will produce the signal required for analyte detection (e.g. infectious, cardiovascular and cancer-related biomarkers), while the microfluidics will provide means for handling and processing the sample (e.g. bodily fluids) within the platform efficiently. The development of these technologies will be achieved using a combined approach utilizing theory, computational modeling and experimentation. The research proposed here targets objectives to accomplish in the short term, but the discoveries and research associated with these developments will set the foundation for the long-term objective of the research program. In this direction, the proposed program focuses on three specific objectives: (1) The development of fully integrated, low-cost optofluidic platforms for on-site sensing applications involving a smartphone-operated nanohole array optofluidic sensor with better surface chemistries. This objective will promote current telehealth programs available in many Canadian provinces. (2) The development of an optofluidic-based method for the simultaneous enrichment and sensing of analyte, based on the exploitation of non-conventional properties of nanohole arrays. The comprehensive development of this technique will facilitate a nanohole array based sensing approach with unprecedented limits of detection, suitable for applications requiring sensing of ultralow concentrations of analyte, such as early cancer detection. (3) The development of biocompatible optofluidic sensing platforms based on spider silk, and other natural materials, as biophotonic elements for label-free sensing. This objective represents a timely opportunity for the technological development of biocompatible optofluidic sensors and for further fundamental research in photonics and biomaterials science. The highly qualified personnel (HQP) trained under this research program is expected to develop multidisciplinary skills in fields as diverse as engineering, biochemistry and photonics, and to gain valuable hands-on experience in cutting-edge techniques. The trained HQP from my group will possess skills in CAD modeling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), microfabrication, experimental techniques, and data acquisiton and analysis, among others. Additionally, the HQP will enjoy of plenty communication and interpersonal exercise by the end of their programs. This combination of skills will facilitate our trained HQP to pursue a career in academy or in the industrial R&D sector.