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Much of the knowledge we have in biology and
medicine is derived from the ability to detect analytes from
complex biological samples. Therefore, new bioanalytical tools
are critically needed to push the frontiers of knowledge in
life sciences. Microtechnology has started to impact many areas
of biology and medicine by providing new sensing and analytical
tools, novel means to pattern biomolecules on surfaces, and
innovative systems to handle sub-microliter volumes of liquids.
Boldly stated, miniaturization is good for biosciences. |
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As experts in micro/nanotechnology, we are interested in
(1) developing novel miniaturized biosensing platforms and
(2) applying them to important problems in biology. To achieve
these goals, our expertise in micro/nanotechnology, surface
chemistry and biochemistry is best utilized by working with
experts in life sciences.
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The main techniques we employ to prepare powerful, miniaturized
bioanalytical platforms are based on
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"biopatterning", where proteins (antibodies, enzymes,
cell adhesion molecules) are inked onto a stamp and then printed
with very high accuracy onto a variety of surfaces to serve
as receptors for analytes, and |
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"microfluidics", where wettable microstructures
are used to make the functional elements of microfluidic chips.
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These chips can be used to miniaturize immunoassays, to pattern
surfaces with biomolecules, and to study cells, Figure 1.
Our current challenges deal with the detection of protein analytes
from low volumes of sample with high sensitivity using immunoassays,
the rapid detection of disease markers in an accurate manner, the
screening of interactions between ligands and receptors from ultralarge
libraries, and the study of cellular processes down to the single
cell level.
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IBM Research
