Our research in biological and chemical detection leverages our work in materials and in integrated devices. Frequently, advances in materials or in devices directly translate to novel strategies for bio/chem detection. Additionally, we often collaborate with other research groups in this area, sharing our expertise.
Instrumentation development/construction
- We are actively building several new biodetection and biocharacterization instruments for applications in low resource settings (e.g. malaria detection) and in performing biomechanics/mechanobiology measurements of whole tissue.
Mechanobiology
- Using our recently developed optical fiber polarimetric elastography system (aka tissue squisher), we are investigating the mechanism behind force-induced damage in cartilage (vs. age-induced). We are also launching a new study into the biomechanics of cancer.
Bioelectrics
- We are developing functional imaging agents that can (non-invasively) modulate the cell’s intrinsic bioelectric field. Using our newly developed agents, we will selectively modulate an individual cell and study its impact on the surrounding cell network.
Modeling
- We are performing FEM modeling of several of the parameters of our sensor systems, such as binding kinetics at the sensor surface and mass transport to the sensing device.