Biosensors and Bioelectronics (LBB)Open OpportunitiesIn this project, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development and optimization of a single-molecule sensor designed for the detection, identification, and analysis of important biomolecules such as DNA and proteins. The sensor technology is built upon the principles of microfluidics, nanofabrication, and machine-learning data analysis. It is an excellent fit for students who possess skills and a strong interest in these fields and are eager to engage in an interdisciplinary project with significant potential impact. - Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences, Physics
- Master Thesis
| Are you interested in uncovering how Alzheimer’s disease disrupts communication in the brain — and exploring new ways to study and possibly intervene in this process?
In this project, you will use cutting-edge microfluidic platforms to construct bioengineered neural networks that better mimic the structure and function of brain microcircuits. These networks, established from human iPSC-derived neurons, will be studied throughout their development using high-density microelectrode arrays (HD-MEAs), enabling detailed tracking of their electrical activity at high spatiotemporal resolution.
You will introduce Alzheimer’s disease-related pathology into the networks and investigate how it alters connectivity, signaling patterns, and neural responses to stimulation over time.
The project offers a unique opportunity to combine experimental work in cellular neuroscience with computational analysis of neural network function. Depending on your background and interests, your work can be directed more toward wet-lab techniques (e.g., cell culturing, immunostaining, confocal imaging, electrophysiology) or toward data analysis and modeling (e.g., signal processing, graph theory, information theory).
- Analysis of Algorithms and Complexity, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Biosensor Technologies, Biotechnology, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Medical Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Neurosciences, Systems Biology and Networks
- Bachelor Thesis, ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis, Semester Project
| The remarkable complexity of morphogenesis and tissue regeneration implies the existence of a transcellular communication network in which individual cells sense the environment and coordinate their biological activity in time and space. To understand the fascinating ability of tissue self-organization, comprehensive study of biophysical properties (cellular nanomechanics such as tension forces and bioelectromagnetics) in combination with the analysis of biochemical networks (signaling pathways and genetic circuits) is required.
In this framework we are investigating the unacknowledged key role of Desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) as a receptor involved in mechanosensing, capable of initiating a signaling response in the transcellular communication network, which results in stem cell fate conversion, plasticity and tissue repair.
Our goal is to apply innovative Fluidic Force Microscopy to measure altered biophysical parameters upon disruption of Dsg3 transadhesion such as cell stiffness, cell-cell adhesion, cell surface charges and electric potentials. Together with the University of Bern and University of Lübeck we are further investigating how these biophysical changes relate to transcriptomic, epigenomic and proteomic response circuits to ultimately infer biophysical and biochemical circuits involved in Dsg3 signaling.
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Medical and Health Sciences, Physics
- Bachelor Thesis, ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis, Semester Project
| In this project, you will explore how cells generate mechanical forces using confocal traction force microscopy (cTFM). The project combines experimental techniques, such as cell culturing, quantum dot array printing, and live-cell confocal imaging, together with computational data analysis using the open-source tool Cellogram. By growing cells on deformable substrates and tracking the displacement of fluorescent quantum dots, students will quantify the traction forces that individual cells exert on their environment. - Biology, Engineering and Technology, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Are you interested in what a cell look like in nanometer scale? Do you want to see how the cell behaves in real time?
Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is the non-contact SPM technology to image live cells based on glass capillaries with a nanometric aperture. It applies a voltage and measures the ionic current flowing through the pipette above the sample in the buffer solution: the recorded current represents the feedback signal to measure the topography of the sample. This project aims to characterize a state of the art high-speed SICM to enable time-resolved live cell imaging, and do the live cell imaging on human primary keratinocytes to study the related disease. - Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nanotechnology
- Master Thesis
| The solid-state nanopore has become a powerful tool for label-free single-molecule detection, characterising DNA and RNA structures, with recent work demonstrating the ability to detect protein structure information. Studying single-cells requires us to push this protein characterisation further, with the interfacial nanopore one approach to achieving this.
In this project, you would simulate and compare with empirical data the properties of the solid-state interfacial nanopore for single-molecule detection and characterisation. - Biophysics
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| In this project, you will work on the design and development of a micro-/nanomanipulator that is integrated into a cutting-edge single-molecule sensor. This system will enable precise positioning of the sensor chip and dynamic size control of the nanopore, critical for detecting protein modifications of varying sizes. This project offers an excellent opportunity for students interested in nanotechnology, hardware development, and biomolecular analysis to gain interdisciplinary experience and make meaningful contributions to advancing nanopore sensing technology. - Biomedical Engineering, Biosensor Technologies, Computer Hardware, Nanotechnology
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| In this project, you will focus on the design and development of a custom hardware controller for piezoelectric actuators, enabling precise control of a micro-/nanomanipulator integrated into a cutting-edge nanopore sensor. The controller will provide high-resolution actuation voltages (up to 120 V) with closed-loop feedback for precise piezo actuation, critical for dynamic size control of interface nanopores. This project offers an exciting opportunity to combine hardware design, control systems, and nanotechnology in a real-world application. - Engineering and Technology
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
|
|
