Graphene microfluidics for dynamic, electron microscopic bio-imaging
Abstract
The rapidly advancing microfluidic technology has opened up new opportunities for live cell imaging by creating and maintaining biochemical/biophysical microenvironments, controlling flow dynamics/exposure profiles, and enabling high-throughput cell manipulation/analysis. While existing microfluidic platforms constructed from conventional materials (polydimethylsiloxane, glass, etc.) are fully compatible with most optical microscopic methods, ultra-resolution imaging of dynamic biological processes beyond optical diffraction limit remains challenging. The overall objective of the proposed research is to develop electron-microscope compatible microfluidics using chemically synthesized graphene as the channel material, where the liquid/gas impermeable, atomically thin, mechanically strong, and electrically transparent graphene wall is expected to facilitate sub-nanometer electron microscopic imaging while completely sealing and preserving structure/function of wet biological samples. In particular, we will pursue directed graphene growth around copper wires or patterned copper substrates, followed by selective metal etching and fluidic inlet/outlet integration to define graphene microfluidic channels with rationally designed geometry and functionality. We will further optimize the device design/operation to achieve minimally invasive electron microscopic imaging and sophisticated microenvironment control, and carry out real-time studies to visualize dynamic sub-cellular structural evolution and reveal molecular mechanisms associated with fundamental biomedical questions such as bioelectrical signaling, cancer cell migration/invasion, and intracellular drug delivery.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810128
Entities
People
- Xiaocheng Jiang
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Tufts University
- United States Air Force