ELEC 521

Biomedical Microdevices

Principles of sensors, actuators, microfluidics, biotechnology and nanotechnology, with applications in probing, detection, assaying, and drug delivery.

3 credits

Course Outline

The course will cover basic principles of sensors, actuators, microfluidics, bio-nanotechnology, with applications in probing, detection, assaying and drug delivery. This course will accommodate students from various backgrounds, providing a short introduction to topics including biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience.

Course Objectives

By the end of the term, students should be able to:

  • Compare biomedical microdevices with current macroscale devices.
  • Discuss reasons for miniaturization.
  • Explain commonly used biosensing principles and describe how they are used in example devices.
  • Evaluate current literature: read scientific journal papers, and understand the goals and conclusions.

Course Topics

  • Microfabrication basics, rapid prototyping for microfluidic devices
  • DNA chips: DNA basics, DNA arrays, on-chip electrophoresis, on-chip PCR
  • Protein chips: protein basics, immunosensors, separations
  • Neural applications: biophysics basics, on-chip electrophysiology, neuron patterning, microelectrode arrays, microneedles
  • Flow cytometry and cell separation
  • Mechanical biosensors

More Information

UBC Course Page