Abstract

Hydrodynamic Flow Confinements: From Surface Biopatterning to Tissue Section Profiling

Iago Pereiro, Researcher, IBM Research – Zurich

In contrast to standard microfluidics, which are typically closed, we are developing a scanning, non-contact microfluidic technology that can shape liquids in the "open space" over surfaces. This technology utilizes a microfluidic probe (MFP) having microfabricated structures for localizing a liquid of interest on a surface using hydrodynamic flow confinement. MFP permits patterning surfaces with proteins and other biomolecules in an additive and subtractive manner, forming complex gradients on surfaces, and interacting with cells on surfaces. Flow confinement and efficient use of chemicals can be further optimized using a concept called "hierarchical" hydrodynamic flow confinement. I will show how the interplay between diffusion, advection and surface chemistry can overcome limitations of existing biopatterning technologies. I will also propose concepts pertaining to tissue microprocessing encompassing local phenotyping for interrogating tumor heterogeneity and spatially resolved molecular profiling which may contribute to the multi-modal analysis of critical biopsy samples in the context of next-generation pathology.