The research and value drivers towards distributed and high throughput sample screening are increasingly emphasizing miniaturization of devices and ‘omics’ level analysis. 

The highly heterogenous nature of microbial occurrence and activity or viability in natural and engineered systems indicates a need for distributed microbial sensing capabilities, which will be highly dependent on the near-term technological capabilities for on-line microbial detection, quantification, and analysis.

The current technology platforms indicate an emphasis on innovations in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and improvements in the environmental application of molecular tools as the main technological drivers for the advancement of this research. The projected product of these efforts will be the development of faster, better, and cheaper microbial detection technologies that can be applied more frequently and in more locations. Moreover, the quantitative analysis of the microbial attributes (i.e.,characteristics) of a targeted system will permit statistical risk-based decision-making.

Our research has focused on the conceptualization and validation of two microfluidic devices: (i) Microflowcytometry, and (ii) FlowGenomics.  The former technology platform was developed by collaborators in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, and was licensed by Accuri Cytometers.  Our laboratory was involved in the cross-validation of the design metrics of the micro device against a benchtop flow cytometer. Flow Genomics™ is a recently disclosed technology for high resolution / high throughput single molecule analysis with the capability of detecting and quantifying multiple genetic loci.  The technology capitalizes on the integration of single cell microfluidics, molecular beacon technology, and hydrodynamic focusing to allow for flow cytometry based detection. 

Publications and Patents:

1. 1.Gruden, C., Skerlos, S.J., and P. Adriaens.  2004.  Flow Cytometry for Microbial Sensing in Environmental Sustainability Applications: Current Status and Future Prospects.  FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 49: 37-49.
   

2. 2.Adriaens & Chang, 2004: Multicomponent Droplet Packaging into Single Microchannel (File 2799)
   

3. 3.Adriaens & Chang, 2004: FlowGenomics (File 2800)
   

4. 4.Adriaens & Chang, 2004: Parallel High Throughput and Ultrasensitive Single Molecular Detection Platform (File 2970)