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Cellular assays are used to study how chemicals, biomolecules
and factors such as electrical and mechanical stimuli, radiations,
and heat affect the viability, metabolism, differentiation, cytoskeleton,
motility, adhesion, receptor trafficking, and apoptosis processes
of cells. Cellular assays therefore are of fundamental importance
in biology, medicine, pharmacology and biotechnology. They are used
both at a fundamental research level as well as for diagnostics.
We are taking the first steps to miniaturize cellular assays using
capillary-driven microfluidics and cell adhesion molecules patterned
on surfaces. Our interests in this area are to study single living
cells, the cytotoxicity of selected chemicals on cells cancerous
cells and on cells from the central nervous system.
Experts with whom we collaborate in this area are Prof. Angelika
Viviani and colleagues from the University of Applied Sciences in
Wädenswil.
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