URO Fall 2004

URO project index
http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/current_students/uro/projects/projectsindex.html

Bioengineering URO Project

Professor Luke Lee
455 Evans Hall
510-642-5855

http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/current_students/uro/projects/lee.html

BioMEMS and BioPOEMS*

*Biomedical Polymer Opto Electro Mechanical Systems

We are developing a novel microsystem that combines
biocompatible polymer micromachining technology,
nano- and microfluidics, optoelectronics, single photon
avalanche-diodes, and active micro-optical control
devices to realize stand-alone µ-laser induced
fluorescence (µLIF) microsystems, µ-confocal imaging
arrays (µCIA), and integrated near-field optical
microfluidic devices (INFOMD) for ultra sensitive
bioassays with single-molecule detection sensitivities.
The hybridization of biocompatible polymer
micromachining technology, microlasers, active
biomimetic microlens, waveguides, and single photon
avalanche-diodes would enable critical capabilities of
microsystems for total bioanalysis. The hybrid bioassay
microsystems could be used for analyzing biological
samples for the detection of single DNA molecules,
subcellular organelles, or neurotransmitters.

Qualifications: Dedicated spirit with basic background in chemistry and physics.

http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/current_students/uro/projects/sobel.html

Bioengineering URO Project

Professor Noam Sobel
G95 Tolman Hall

Medical Applications of Electronic Noses that Model Mammalian Olfactory

Our lab studies human olfaction. Our two main goals are (1) to elucidate the systems-level neurobiological mechanisms of olfactory processing, and (2) to elucidate ways in which chemical sensing effects human behavior. Methods currently used in our lab are functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), physiological monitoring, and olfactory psychophysics. One current project is on electronic noses, chemical sensors that detect and identify airborne compounds. Most commercially available sensors are used in identifying illegal substance, detecting explosives, and monitoring food and drug processing. Medical use of sensors are in development. Our objective is to model the electronic nose after a mammal's and apply it to medical diagnosis. We will increase performance in chemical sensors by modeling the sampling technique after the mammalian olfactory system, which receives two offset samples per sniff. We will test this technique on many odors and record the sensor's response before applying the technique to diagnosing diseases.

As a URO researcher, you will be running tests on the sensor, analyzing data, and exploring possibly applications/benefits of this two offset sampling technique. Minimum 10 hours per week commitment.