BIOTECHNOLOGY AND LAB-ON-A CHIP
Module Mod. Lab-on-a-chip Design

Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: MAIDE ANGELA RITA BUCOLO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course aims to guide students in the acquisition of basic concepts in the study and design of Lab-on-a-Chips. In this context, microfluidic processes and the technologies used for their monitoring will be presented. At the end of the course, the student will be able to design a device and define an experimental campaign for the study of a biological and chemical sample.

Course Structure

The course includes lectures for the acquisition and knowledge required and the carrying out of practice activities (software design).

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

BASIC KNOWLEDGE REGARDS:

-> Advanced level on physics and math

-> Intermediate level on Linear systems theory and control

-> Intermediate level on programming languages

No preparatory requests for passing other courses are required.

Attendance of Lessons

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Attendance is not mandatory, although strongly recommended to carry out adequately the final project.

Detailed Course Content

  • Flusso microfluidico: fisica su scala micrometrica, idrodinamica dei sistemi microfluidici, diffusione/miscelazione/separazione nei microsistemi
  • Metodi di microfabricazione: microlavorazione del silicio, microlavorazione del vetro, microlavorazione di chip polimerici
  • Metodi di misura: rilevamento ottico, rilevamento elettrochimico, spettroscopia di massa
  • Esempi di dispositivi microfluidici per applicazioni lab-on-chip: analisi cellulare e delle particelle

Textbook Information

COURSE TEXTBOOKS

T1) Paul C. H. Li - Microfluidics lab-on-a-chip for chemical and biological analysis and discovery- CRC Taylor and Francis

Suggested Readings

T2) P. Tabelling, Introduction to microfluidics, Oxford

T2) M.R. Hamblin, M. Karimi, Biomedical Applications of Microfluidic Devices, Academic Press

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Microfluidics flow (15 h)T2 (chs.3-4)
2Micromachining methods (5 h)T1 (ch. 2)
3Detection Methods (10 h)T1 (ch. 7)
4Microfluidics device for lab-on-chip applications (7 h)T1 (ch.8)

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

METHODS FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE LEARNED KNOWLEDGE

The exam consists of a practical test and its discussion. Learning assessment may also be carried out online, should the conditions require it.

The practical test consists of a case study based on the design of a micro-system for the analysis of biological and chemical samples. The essay must be submitted by the end of the course. The final evaluation will be determined by its discussion.

The evaluation will be based on: the description of the case study, the methodology adopted, and the results obtained in correlation with the course contents. Knowledge of the contents, the relevance of the answers to the asked questions, the ability to use technical language, and the ability to make connections between the contents of the program will be considered.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

The material is available through the Studium platform and the teacher's personal website (http://www.dees.unict.it/mbucolo/)
VERSIONE IN ITALIANO