Biophysics
 | Lab-in-a-tubeA lab-in-a-tube device comprises numerous ultracompact components in a single tube which can be developed using rolled-up technology. A single device, being one of thousands in the on-chip system, would be independently capable of stimulating, monitoring and investigating individual organisms. | |
 | Lab-in-a-tubeWorking towards creating a fully functional Lab-in-a-tube, we report a method for the precise capturing of embryonic fibroblast mouse cells into rolled-up microtube resonators. The microtubes contain a nanometer-sized gap in their wall which defines a new type of optofluidic sensor, i.e., a flexible split-wall microtube resonator sensor (F-SWμRS), employed as a label-free fully integrative detection tool for individual cells. The sensor action works through peak sharpening and spectral shifts of whispering gallery modes within the microresonators under light illumination.E. J. Smith et al., Nano Letters 11, 4037 (2011) URL PDF | |
Transport of animal cell material by catalytic microbotsAnimal cells can be transported within a fluid in a controllable manner by using artificial microbots. The Ti/Fe/Pt rolled-up catalytic microjet engine (microbot) is guided towards a specific cell, which is moved to a desired location where it is released. The direction of the microbots is easily steered by using an external small magnetic field. This work paves the way to future biomedical applications of artificial micromachines such as curing unhealthy cells or separation of cancer cells.S. Sanchez et al., Chemical Communications DOI: 10.1039/c0cc04126b (2010) URL PDF This work was highlighted in: Chemistry World (Nov 19, 2010) URL | ||
Neuron cells cultured in rolled-up microtubesPrimary mouse motor neurons and immortalised CAD cells, a cell line derived from the central nervous system, can be well cultured on arrays of rolled-up microtubes. In this way, we investigate the influence of topographical surface features on the growth and differentiation behaviour of these cells inside and outside of strongly 2D confined space. Our work opens up a cost-efficient and bio-compatible way of analysing single cell behaviour for various biological applications ranging from neurite protection studies to cell sensor development.S. Schulze et al., Advanced Engineering Materials 12, B558 (2010) URL PDF | ||
Cell culturing in single tubes integrated on a Si ChipTransparent oxide rolled-up microtube arrays are realized by the deposition of a pre-stressed oxide layer on patterned photoresist and the subsequent removal of the photoresist. Due to the unique tubular structure and optical transparency, such rolled-up microtubes can serve as well-defined 2D confined cell culture scaffolds. Yeast cells exhibit different growth phenomena in microtubes as the diameter is scaled down. Detailed investigations of individual yeast cells in a single microtube reveal the mechanical interaction between microtubes and the 2D confined cells causing different cellular assemblies. Our appoach is fully compatible to Si technology and might lead to high speed integrated analysis systems of individual cells on a single chip.G. S. Huang et al., Lab on a Chip 9, 263 (2009) DOI: 10.1039/b810419k (2008) URL PDF | ||
Strain engineered micro-/nanotubes on polymersA generic approach has been developed to engineer tubular micro-/nanostructures out of many different materials with tunable diameters and lengths by precisely releasing and rolling up functional nanomembranes on polymers. The technology spans across different scientific fields ranging from photonics to biophysics and we demonstrate optical ring resonators, magneto-fluidic sensors, remotely controlled microjets and 2D confined channels for cell growth guiding.Y. F. Mei et al., Advanced Materials 20, 4085 (2008) URL PDF This work was highlighted in: P.M. Magazine (February 17, 2009) URL Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (November 11, 2008) URL Nanowerk (October 20, 2008) URL Pro Physik (October 20, 2008) URL Bild (August 27, 2008) URL | ||