In this section
The Micro-Nano Innovation Lab ("mini lab") investigates multidisciplinary approaches to develop new intelligent sensing and robotic strategies in micro/nano scales.
The Micro-Nano Innovation Lab ("mini lab") investigates multidisciplinary approaches to develop new intelligent sensing and robotic strategies in micro/nano scales. We study nanotechnology, light-matter interactions, micro-particle dynamics, microscale fluid dynamics, and bioengineering to reach our goal. The research involves the design and manufacture of micro/nano systems for diagnostics (e.g. infections, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases) and microscopic therapies/surgeries (e.g. localised drug delivery, novel minimally invasive procedures).
Timely identification of illnesses, less intrusive interventions, and precise/personalised treatments in challenging areas within our bodies, like narrow blood vessels, are essential technologies for improved healthcare management. The foundation for empowering these technologies lies in the development of devices capable of sensitively detecting disruptions in microenvironments that impact normal physiology and of precisely addressing these issues via targeted drug delivery, surgery, etc. at the cellular and molecular levels (micro/nano scales). Understanding the pathophysiology and engineering of the designs and functionalities of such devices accordingly is, thus, vital to enhancing current medical technology. Also, this has the potential to drive the development of advanced medical micro-robots with integrated sensing and therapeutic capabilities, offering new opportunities for future advancements in healthcare.
Early detection of diseases followed by minimally invasive, targeted and personalised therapy can have evident advantages for patients in terms of prognosis, health management, and economic implications. First, it can reduce excessive physical and biochemical alterations to the microenvironments, e.g., scarring after resection, antimicrobial resistance after antibiotics administration, etc., offering a better prognosis with fewer side effects. Micro/nanodevices can also be engineered to be implantable, enabling long-term health monitoring and treatment. Finally, the localised and precise manner of the technology allows efficient planning of the optimal procedures and accurate dosage, resulting in reduced cost.
Mr Seungyeop Kang
Research Postgraduate
Dr Jang Ah Kim
Lecturer
@article{Kim:2023:10.1117/1.JBO.28.7.075003,
author = {Kim, JA and Hou, Y and Keshavarz, M and Yeatman, E and Thompson, A},
doi = {10.1117/1.JBO.28.7.075003},
journal = {Journal of Biomedical Optics},
pages = {1--15},
title = {Characterization of bacteria swarming effect under plasmonic optical fiber illumination},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.28.7.075003},
volume = {28},
year = {2023}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - SignificancePlasmo-thermo-electrophoresis (PTEP) involves using plasmonic microstructures to generate both a large-scale convection current and a near-field attraction force (thermo-electrophoresis). These effects facilitate the collective locomotion (i.e., swarming) of microscale particles in suspension, which can be utilized for numerous applications, such as particle/cell manipulation and targeted drug delivery. However, to date, PTEP for ensemble manipulation has not been well characterized, meaning its potential is yet to be realized.AimOur study aims to provide a characterization of PTEP on the motion and swarming effect of various particles and bacterial cells to allow rational design for bacteria-based microrobots and drug delivery applications.ApproachPlasmonic optical fibers (POFs) were fabricated using two-photon polymerization. The particle motion and swarming behavior near the tips of optical fibers were characterized by image-based particle tracking and analyzing the spatiotemporal concentration variation. These results were further correlated with the shape and surface charge of the particles defined by the zeta potential.ResultsThe PTEP demonstrated a drag force ranging from a few hundred fN to a few tens of pN using the POFs. Furthermore, bacteria with the greater (negative) zeta potential ( | ζ | > 10 mV) and smoother shape (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli) exhibited the greatest swarming behavior.ConclusionsThe characterization of PTEP-based bacteria swarming behavior investigated in our study can help predict the expected swarming behavior of given particles/bacterial cells. As such, this may aid in realizing the potential of PTEP in the wide-ranging applications highlighted above.
AU - Kim,JA
AU - Hou,Y
AU - Keshavarz,M
AU - Yeatman,E
AU - Thompson,A
DO - 10.1117/1.JBO.28.7.075003
EP - 15
PY - 2023///
SN - 1083-3668
SP - 1
TI - Characterization of bacteria swarming effect under plasmonic optical fiber illumination
T2 - Journal of Biomedical Optics
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.28.7.075003
UR - https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/journal-of-biomedical-optics/volume-28/issue-07/075003/Characterization-of-bacteria-swarming-effect-under-plasmonic-optical-fiber-illumination/10.1117/1.JBO.28.7.075003.full
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/105332
VL - 28
ER -
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