Date of Award

Fall 11-2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Micro and Nanoscale Systems

First Advisor

Gergana Nestorova

Abstract

Microfluidics is the technology of controlling and manipulating fluids at the microscale. Microfluidic platforms provide precise fluidic control coupled with low sample volume and an increase in the speed of biochemical reactions. Lab-on-a-chip platforms are used for detection and quantification of biochemical analytes, capture, and characterization of various proteins, sensitive analysis of cytokines, and isolation and detection of extracellular vesicles (EVs).

This study focuses on the development of microfluidic and solid-phase capture pin platforms for the detection of cytokines, extracellular vesicles, and cell co-culture. The fabrication processes of the devices, experimental workflows, numerical analysis to identify optimal design parameters, and reproducibility studies have been discussed. Layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes has been developed to functionalize glass and stainless-steel substrates with biotin for the immobilization of streptavidinconjugated antibodies for selective capture of cytokines or EVs. Microstructure characterization techniques (SEM, EDX, and fluorescence microscopy) have been implemented to assess the efficiency of substrate functionalization. A detailed overview of current methods for purification and analysis of EVs is discussed as well.

Additionally, the dissertation demonstrates the feasibility of a calorimetric microfluidic immunosensor with an integrated antimony-bismuth (Sb/Bi) thermopile sensor for the detection of cytokines with picomolar sensitivity. The developed platform can be used for the universal detection of both exothermic or endothermic reactions. A three-dimensional numerical model was developed to define the critical design parameters that enhance the sensitivity of the platform. Mathematical analyses identified the optimal combinations of substrate material and dimensions that will maximize the heat transfer to the sensor.

Lab-on-a-chip cell co-culture platform with integrated pneumatic valve was designed, numerically characterized, and fabricated. This device enables the reversible separation of two cell culture chambers and serves as a tool for the effective analysis of cell-to-cell communication. Intercellular communication is mediated by extracellular vesicles. A protocol for the functionalization of stainless-steel probe with exosomespecific CD63 antibody was developed. The efficiency of the layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolytes and the effectiveness of biotin and streptavidin covalent boding were characterized using fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy.

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