10 MAY 2016 | SEMINAR
Sonocitology: Manipulation and Sensing Particles
Prof Anne L. Bernassau
The ability to manipulate cells and other micro-particles in a completely biocompatible and dexterous manner is critical for numerous biological studies and applications such as cell-cell communication, biosensing, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Here we present an “acoustic manipulators” technique that utilises acoustic standing waves to manipulate particles, cells, and micro-organisms non-invasively. With its advantages in biocompatibility, miniaturization, and versatility, the acoustic manipulators presented here will become a powerful tool for many disciplines of science and engineering. The acoustic manipulator device consists of multiple ultrasound transducers electronically driven in an independent fashion. A suspension of microparticles or cells is infused into the cavity. A radio frequency (RF) signal is applied to transducers opposite of each other to generate two acoustic counter propagating waves. The interference of these two series of acoustic propagating waves forms a standing wave, as well as a periodic distribution of pressure nodes (with minimum pressure amplitude) and antinodes (with maximum pressure amplitude) in the medium, causing pressure fluctuations. These fluctuations lead to acoustic radiation forces that act on the suspended particles, moving them to the pressure nodes or antinodes (depending on their mecano elastic properties) in the acoustic standing field. Our acoustic manipulators are capable of manipulating cells and micro-particles with precision and depending their mechanical properties. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis studies have revealed the technique to be perfectly biocompatible. Additionally, the ability to massively move particles with great speed could make this technique a key tool in many high-throughput assays such as cell sorting and separation. The aforementioned advantages, along with this technique’s simple design and ability to be miniaturized, render the “acoustic manipulator” technique a promising tool for various applications in biology, chemistry, engineering, and materials science.
Details
Date: 10 MAY 2016
Time: 2 pm – 3 pm
Address
Prédio de Eng. Mecânica e Naval (Sala MC02)
Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 2231
Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo
05508-030, São Paulo – SP, Brazil
E-mail: rcgi@usp.br / chinan.pai@usp.br
Phone: +55 11 3091-5646 / +55 11 3091-6024
Download the event poster
Anne L. Bernassau
Anne L. Bernassau was born in Paris, France and earned her Ph.D. degree from the Institute of Medical Science and Technology at the University of Dundee, UK in 2009. Her PhD topic was on “Micro-engineering for high frequency ultrasound arrays”. She joined the University of Glasgow on the collaborative project “Electronic sonotweezers: particle manipulation with ultrasonic arrays” and pioneered acoustic multi-transducers manipulation for the use of bio-engineering and targeted drug delivery applications. After the success of sonotweezers, she secured a 4 year Lord Kelvin Adam Smith fellowship as an independent academic researcher.