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Acoustophoretic trapping of bacteria; Towards an improvement of the Chip Design
Controlling the evolution of cells is a big aim in microbiology. In this project, acoustofluidic is utilized to replace centrifugation and therewith take a big step towards automation of a cell evolution setup.
Transformation [1], meaning the process of introducing foreign DNA into cells is an important method to genetically engineer cells towards new functions such as the production of pharmaceutical compounds, fine and bulk chemicals or the development of biosensors. Electroporation is a method of transportation, where membrane pores (through which recombinant DNA enters) are created by applying a strong electric field. It is a multi-step process and requires multiple runs of centrifugation and resuspension in a low conductivity medium to prepare the cells for electroporation. Our goal is to automate this process for Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and replace the centrifugation steps by Acoustophoresis. In the intended device, the bacteria are trapped against the fluid flow and afterwards, the new medium is flown into the device and the bacteria are released.
[1] https://bit.ly/2xknbvW (28.06.2019)
Transformation [1], meaning the process of introducing foreign DNA into cells is an important method to genetically engineer cells towards new functions such as the production of pharmaceutical compounds, fine and bulk chemicals or the development of biosensors. Electroporation is a method of transportation, where membrane pores (through which recombinant DNA enters) are created by applying a strong electric field. It is a multi-step process and requires multiple runs of centrifugation and resuspension in a low conductivity medium to prepare the cells for electroporation. Our goal is to automate this process for Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and replace the centrifugation steps by Acoustophoresis. In the intended device, the bacteria are trapped against the fluid flow and afterwards, the new medium is flown into the device and the bacteria are released.
[1] https://bit.ly/2xknbvW (28.06.2019)
Acoustophoresis utilizes ultrasonic standing waves to generate forces that can be used to position particles inside microsystems [2]. In this project, an already existing device is optimized to enhance the efficiency of the trapping mechanism. Depending on your skills, the thesis can be adjusted in its focus towards experimental or numerical investigations. Usually it will be a mix of both. You will learn how to build simulation models that can approximate the outcome of the experiments. In the simulation, parameters can be easily adjusted in order to optimize the design of the device. Afterwards, new Devices are produced in a cleanroom and charactrerized.
[2] I. Leibacher, P. Reichert, and J. Dual, “Microfluidic droplet handling by bulk acoustic wave (BAW) acoustophoresis,” Lab Chip, vol. 15, pp. 2896–2905, 2015.
Acoustophoresis utilizes ultrasonic standing waves to generate forces that can be used to position particles inside microsystems [2]. In this project, an already existing device is optimized to enhance the efficiency of the trapping mechanism. Depending on your skills, the thesis can be adjusted in its focus towards experimental or numerical investigations. Usually it will be a mix of both. You will learn how to build simulation models that can approximate the outcome of the experiments. In the simulation, parameters can be easily adjusted in order to optimize the design of the device. Afterwards, new Devices are produced in a cleanroom and charactrerized.
[2] I. Leibacher, P. Reichert, and J. Dual, “Microfluidic droplet handling by bulk acoustic wave (BAW) acoustophoresis,” Lab Chip, vol. 15, pp. 2896–2905, 2015.
Name: Michael Gerlt
Email: gerlt@imes.mavt.ethz.ch
Group: Prof. Dr. J. Dual
http://www.expdyn.ethz.ch/research.html
Name: Michael Gerlt Email: gerlt@imes.mavt.ethz.ch Group: Prof. Dr. J. Dual http://www.expdyn.ethz.ch/research.html