Polymer microwells as central elements of a highly integrated platform for single-cell analysis, manipulation and monitoring

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Karnutsch
• Subject Area: Biomedical Systems Technology ; Microsystems
• Term: from 2016 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 326065965

A concept for single-cell analysis, manipulation and monitoring shall be explored, based on a highly integrated array of microwells in a biocompatible polymer matrix. It shall be investigated whether polymer micro reservoirs can be realised, using mass manufacturing compatible fabrication technologies, which offer a long-term stable aqueous environment for individual cells. In addition, a method will be developed that allows introducing individual cells into a specifically selected microwell. Overall, it shall be ensured that the polymer platform is optically transparent in order to be able to use medically relevant optical analysis techniques (such as FLIM) to study the target cell.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants