UC Berkeley

Microfluidic technologies have in conjunction with the field of biomedical research for their utility in making highly precise measurements of biological and chemical specimens. These measurements help us search for specific analytes that can be associated with biological states such as disease in a process called biomarker discovery. The analytes in question are the biomarkers of the states they represent, and these associations become part of the greater body of knowledge that guide other researchers in the recognition and study of other biological phenomena. Eventually, this work helps guide clinicians in making diagnostic and prognostic decisions. In this dissertation, I will describe work done to engineer and implement two microfluidic technologies designed to perform biomarker discovery via different modalities, albeit with both analyzing single-cell phenotypes. The first of these devices, called mechano-node-pore sensing, focused on the mechanical properties of cells, and how the mechanics of the cell as a material can reveal information about drug resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia. The second of these devices instead analyzed cells for surface proteins using a novel scheme for chemical immobilization of antibody probes. In both cases, I demonstrate how mechanical properties and surface proteins can be used as biomarkers to discriminate between cell phenotypes, and how such measurements can help us more deeply understand a variety of biological phenomena, and eventually make advancements in biomedicine.