(15g) Microfluidic Platform Technologies for Detection of Biochemical Markers

Research Interests: Microfluidics, Bio/chemical sensors, Micro/nanofabrication, Functional sensing materials, Reaction and transport phenomena.

Teaching Interests: Microfluidics, bio/chemical sensors, Interfacial science, Reaction and transport phenomena.

There is a growing interest in microfluidic based technologies for detection of various (bio-)chemical markers in wide variety of applications ranging from healthcare to environment. In microfluidic sensors the microchannel surfaces are functionalized with stack of intermediate molecular layers to the specific probe molecules. The efficiencies of these microfluidic sensors depends on the effective capture of analytes flowing in the carrier fluid by the surface immobilized receptors. The effective diffusion of analytes to the surface bound molecules primarily depends on two important category of parameters i.e. surface engineering and fluid flow characteristics. The surface engineering parameters such as number densities, orientations, surface free energies and lengths of molecular chains/stacks, and interfacial phenomena at fluid-wall interfaces along with the flow characteristics such as nature of liquids, frictional resistance, and flow profiles plays a significant role in defining the performance of the microfluidic sensor. Hence, the design and development of an effective microfluidic sensor requires a rational approach, based on the precise engineering of reactions and transport phenomena which are essential to ensure the optimum performance. Therefore, my research would focus on fundamental understanding of the interfacial phenomena, reaction and transport phenomena along with the biological aspects to engineer the microfluidic platform technologies for detection of various (bio-)chemical markers for applications ranging from healthcare diagnostics to environmental sensors. Being a chemical engineer and having worked in various industries along with semiconductor Fab, I have research interests in microfluidics, bio/chemical sensors, micro/nanofabrication, functional sensing materials, and reaction and transport phenomena. As a future faculty member my goal is to design and develop microfluidic platform technologies by using various smart and soft materials, nanomaterials, electronic materials along with flexible substrates from optical to electrochemical detection methods to meet the demanding needs in the domain of healthcare and environment. Previously, I worked on developing silicon based electrolyte insulator semiconductor based microfluidic immunosensors for early detection of cancer biomarkers and presently my research is focused on developing microfluidic based point of care platform technologies on cellulose materials for detection of various (bio-)chemical markers. These (bio-)chemical markers ranges from proteins, miRNA to DNA for various diseases such as Osteoporosis, Cervical Cancer, Tuberculosis, bacterial and viral infections, and Kidney rejection markers. In my poster, I would be presenting the work on silicon based microfluidic immunosensors, cellulose based point of care devices, and some key highlights from my past and current research projects along with the future projects in the microfluidic platform technologies.