 Institute for Biomedical EngineeringOpen OpportunitiesThe 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
| We are offering multiple projects in the cleanroom with focus on gratings for x-ray application, this includes lithography and etching.
If you would like to do a project in a cleanroom do not hesitate to contact us under: bryan.benz@psi.ch - Biomedical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Medical Physics
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis, Semester Project
| The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts drug delivery to the brain, complicating the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Temporary and safe opening of the BBB is a critical step for improving therapeutic delivery. This project focuses on developing hardware for BBB opening under optoacoustic imaging guidance, along with algorithms for monitoring using optoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging. Key tasks include designing a focused ultrasound transducer, developing a precise positioning system for mouse brain navigation, characterizing the setup through phantom experiments, optimizing imaging reconstruction algorithms, and participating in preclinical studies with healthy and diseased mice. - Biomedical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Medical Physics, Neurosciences
- Master Thesis
| This project aims to advance super-resolution imaging techniques, specifically localization optoacoustic tomography (LOT), for optimal imaging of the mouse brain. LOT allows for angiographic imaging beyond the acoustic diffraction limit, enabling blood velocity measurements and oxygen saturation quantification, which enhances understanding of microvascular dynamics and disease. Key tasks include designing hardware for scanning the mouse brain, developing biocompatible particles for in vivo tracking of blood vessels, creating algorithms for accurate blood flow velocity measurement, and implementing AI-based methods for efficient super-resolution imaging. The project also involves participation in experiments with healthy and disease mice. - Artificial Intelligence and Signal and Image Processing, Biomaterials, Interdisciplinary Engineering
- Master Thesis
| The aim of the project is to investigate the benefits, requirements and drawbacks of physics informed neural networks in the context of personalised cardiac and cardiovascular models - Biomechanical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Computation Theory and Mathematics, Fluidization and Fluid Mechanics, Neural Networks, Genetic Alogrithms and Fuzzy Logic, Simulation and Modelling
- Master Thesis
| The project focuses exploiting generative AI to build synthetic numerical phantom for cardiac anatomy and function suitable for representing population variability. - Biomechanical Engineering, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences
- Master Thesis
| 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
|
|
