Microfluidics is the interdisciplinary study of the behaviour, manipulation and application of fluid at the microscale. It underpins the concept of the lab-on-a-chip, where multiple key components and operations are integrated onto one small platform.
This is an important underlying technology with applications across a diverse range of fields including medicine, chemistry and oceanic research.
Scientists across the Institute of Life Sciences have been driving microfluidics research and application forward for more than two decades. With a translational approach many of our fundamental science discoveries have resulted in novel micro-engineered devices which have paved the way for how patients are treated in hospital.
Our research teams span fields from engineering and physics to medicine and biology and are carrying out research into areas such as single cell analysis, organ-on-a-chip, neuroscience, clinical diagnostics, personalised medicine and environmental monitoring. Our scientists use microfluidic devices and systems to find solutions to some of today’s biggest challenges including antimicrobial resistance and ocean climate changes.
As well as using microfluidics to provide engineering solutions for biological and healthcare applications our scientists are also training the next generation of microfluidics experts. Our postgraduate students work alongside international leaders in their field, shaping and developing research projects as well as conducting their own research investigations.
Staff and students alike also have access to cutting-edge facilities which contain state of the art analytical equipment, dedicated cell and tissue culture laboratory and rapid prototyping clean rooms.
Interdisciplinary research teams collaborate across engineering technologies with applications in medicine, biology and environment to create novel and disruptive research activity in areas including diagnostics, infectious diseases and water testing.
