Microfluidics for biological systems

在自然和人工环境中，有水分的表面很容易被细菌占领，细菌生长成致密的水合结构，称为生物膜。生物膜对外界压力具有很强的抵抗力，这使得它们与人类健康的几个方面有关。拟议的研究计划通过使用微流控平台来解决这种生物现象，微流控平台本质上是小型化的分析系统。微流控平台将用于评估电场预防生物膜的效用。这些平台还将用于了解生物膜是如何在复杂的栖息地形成的。拟议的项目将大大有利于人类健康和水过滤等领域。

In natural and artificial environments, surfaces with moisture are easily colonized by bacteria, which grow into dense hydrated structures called biofiolms. Biofilms are very resistant to external stresses, which make them relevant to several aspects of human health. The proposed research program addresses this biological phenomenon through the use of microfluidic platforms, which are essentially miniaturized analytical systems. Microfluidic platforms will be used to assess utility of electric fields for preventing biofilms. These platforms will also be used to understand how biofilms form in complex habitats. The proposed program will significantly benefit areas such as human health and water filtration.