Microtechnology for Cell Handling and Analysis

Microtechnology is technology with features near one micrometer (one millionth of a meter, or 1μm). Not only electrical devices, but also mechanical devices, can be miniaturized and batch-fabricated, promising the same benefits to the mechanical world as integrated-circuit (IC) technology has given to the electrical world.

Microfluidics deals with the behavior, precise control and manipulation of fluids that are geometrically constrained to a small, typically sub-millimeter, scale. The advantage is a precise control (temperature and volume) and dosing of the fluid, and low energy and reagent consumption. Microfluidics is, e.g., used in the development of inkjet printheads, genetic test chips, or lab-on-a-chip technology.

Microfluidics for Immobilization and Dosing

Biological Impedance Spectroscopy: Lock-In Amplifier

Electrodes in microchannels are used to apply electrical potentials and to perform an impedance measurement across the channel at several frequencies simultaneously. The obtained data can be used to deduct the cell size and characteristics of its content.

>> More >>

Flow-through Single-cell Analysis

Microtechnological and microfluidic means are used to address and handle cells, to and to characterize and analyze them. Applications include the analysis of single  cells and its contents for Systems Biology.

>> More >>