Objective
Manipulation of single cells is one of the problems that have not been satisfactorily solved for the implementation of labs-on-a-chip. The objective of this proposal is to solve this problem by means of programmable dielectrophoretic force fields, leveraging microelectronic technology to obtain a micro-system with unprecedented flexibility and selectivity. The key expected result is a prototype including a silicon chip and microfluidic add-ons, able to selectively trap single cells of a specific type and move them at will under software control by chip programming. The goal will be reached thanks to the complementary know-how of the participants in the fields of microelectronics and biology.
Manipulation of single cells is one of the problems which has not been satisfactorily solved for the implementation of labs-on-a-chip. The objective of this proposal is to solve this problem by means of programmable dielectrophoretic force fields, leveraging microelectronic technology to obtain a micro-system with unprecedented flexibility and selectivity. The key expected result is a prototype including a silicon chip and micro-fluidic add-ons, able to selectively trap single cells of a specific type and move them at will under software control by chip programming. The goal will be reached thanks to the complementary know-how of the participants in the fields of microelectronics and biology.
OBJECTIVES
The goal of this project is the technological development and the biological validation of a microelectronic device to manipulate and sort biological objects such as single cells in micro-liter volumes. An array of electrodes establishes multiple three-dimensional dielectrophoretic cages by which cells can be trapped and moved individually and independently over the surface of the device under software control. The use of microelectronic technology allows to attain low-cost and enables future integration of other functions such as sensing or heating. The validation of the device on a minute sample of cells, opens biomedical and pharmacological applications in cancer and neuro-sciences that are impractical with existing technologies, such as low-cost and fast biopsy analyses, single cell typing and therapeutic research on rare cells.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The project will be carried out following two main action lines:
A1) A microelectronic system based on an integrated array of sensors/actuators that is able to manipulate single cells using superficial electric fields will be analysed and the design methodology explored;
A2) The impact of such device on existing biological cell analysis methodologies will be investigated. The novel device performance will be compared with those of existing assay procedures on a significant biological cell model.
The above action lines will be developed in two time steps:
T1) Design of the microelectronic device: the design will be based on experimental results based on a scaled up prototype and on suitable electromagnetic simulations. Concurrently, while the device is under design, tests on material bio-compatibility in terms of cell viability and the investigations of effects of electromagnetic fields on cells will be performed. Device packaging and micro-fluidics: design and implementation of a watertight chamber with suitable inlet and outlet systems;
T2) Validation of the device as "cell sorter" of closely related lymphocyte populations. More specifically, the selection and the manipulation of rare T-cell populations will be proposed by sorting them on the base of their physical and electrical parameters and, on at second step, by addressing labelled micro-beads on their site for a finest selection. This step will require choice of optimal micro-bead characteristics in terms of physical and chemical parameters and the optimisation of biological parameters such us temperature, cell suspension medium, cell concentration, different cell labelling, fluid characteristics and sample recovery.
Finally, the control of the experiment by comparison with identical higher scale experiments based on a flow cytometer will be performed.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics electromagnetism
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics microelectronics
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
40138 BOLOGNA
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.