Protein Engineering & Expression of Recombinant Immunotherapeutics

Micro-/Nanofabrication of Integrated Sensor Devices

Synthesis of Biologically Inspired Nanostructures for Advanced Materials Processing

Micro-/Nanofabrication of Integrated Sensor Devices

 

The Sensors Group of the Batt Lab focuses on a variety of biosensor technologies aimed at detecting a wide array of biomolecules and biological agents. The goal of these projects is to provide both highly sensitive as well as highly portable detection systems that can be used outside of the confines of a laboratory. In this way, a variety of biomolecules and/or biological agents can be detected quickly and easily. Current sensor-related projects that have been undertaken in the lab include a miniaturized, PCR-based biosensor, as well as a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensor. While the PCR-based sensor is primarily aimed at detecting microbial pathogens, the SPR-based sensor is ideally designed for the detection of biological molecules, including protein and DNA.

Much of the biosensor fabrication that is done in our lab is performed at the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility (CNF). In conjunction with facilities at the Nanobiotechnology Center (NBTC), the CNF facilities provide the necessary equipment and cleanrooms for semiconductor processing and chip fabrication. Silicon, glass and other substrates can be patterned, etched, deposited onto, and further modified on the micro- and nanoscales, yielding almost any type of sensor configuration imaginable. Much of the sensor work in the Batt Lab focuses on microfluidic-based systems, which can often be constructed from polymeric materials such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), that can be formed from a microfabricated mold. In this way, intricate micro-scale molds are fabricated in the CNF and NBTC facilities, while the test structures themselves are regularly cast in our own laboratory.

In addition to biosensor fabrication, our laboratory is also interested in the electronic and microfluidic control systems that can automate sensor functions. We are currently collaborating with researchers from the Alliance for Nanomedical Technologies to create a general testing platform for micofluidic devices, referred to as the microFLUIDICS DESKTOP. The DESKTOP is designed to provide an on-board power supply, electronics and control systems to automate a variety of microfluidics-based sensors. This includes microfluidic pumps, micro-valve actuation, temperature control and optical detection systems. A schematic of the DESKTOP is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. The microFLUIDICS DESKTOP, designed by the Alliance for Nanomedical Technologies. This self-contained unit provides on-board power, processing, temperature control, microfluidic control, and optical detection in a shoe-box sized platform. The DESKTOP is designed for the testing and integration of microfluidics-based biosensors.

In summary, our research group has an active and ongoing interest in biosensor technology. We have a variety of sensors that are presently undergoing development, and we are also engaged in a number of collaborative efforts with researchers from other laboratories that are aiming to develop similar technologies.

Specific Projects and Relevant Lab Personnel

Construction of a miniaturized PCR-based biosensor [Nathaniel C. Cady, Scott J. Stelick]

Microfabrication of a totally integrated optical biosensor [Christine Campagnolo]

Development and characterization of novel surface chemistries for optical- and field effect transistor (FET)-based biosensor applications [Sonny S. Mark, Sandhyarani Neelakantapillai, Changcheng Zhu]