The EPFL NanoBio Cluster is a local network of research groups active in this field of NanoBioTechnology.
The Cluster is coordinated by the Center of MicroNanotechnology (CMI).

            
The main objective of the EPFL NanoBio Cluster is to promote NanoBioTech education and joint research
inside EPFL and with external partners. The cluster is also committed to integrate other Swiss partners into the network.
        
    
      

COMING EVENTS

Member Laboratories of the EPFL Cluster:

Center of MicroNanoTechnology (CMI), Dr. Philippe Flückiger

Key word: Clean-room facility, Userlab, Micromachining, Nanotools

The CMI (Center of MicroNanoTechnology) is a complex clean room facility for training and scientific research in the domain of micro- and nano technology which is operated by a team of engineers and technicians, specialized in micro technologies. The CMI staff guaranties the availability of the processing equipment by developing new processing steps and improving the existing equipment. The CMI combines education, research and technology transfer to industry. A core activity of CMI staff is therefore to train the users -undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers as well as external partners-. and assist research projects with technical advice. In order to stay competent and open-minded to the user's questions, the CMI leads its own research and development activity.

The CMI is present in the microtechnology coordination board with the joint participation of the University of Neuchatel (UNINE), the Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechniques (CSEM) and the EPFL. Thus representatives of UNINE and CSEM participate in the scientific council of CMI. Taking advantage of the many international contacts that EPFL has, the CMI has established links with other European and American centers to exchange information and experiences in the domain of microtechnology.

CMI Official Website
University of Neuchâtel (UNINE)
Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechniques (CSEM)

Laboratory of Microsystems and Nanoengineering (LMIS1), Prof. Jürgen Brugger

Key word: Micro/nano-fabrication, Top-Down & Bottom-Up, Nanostencils, SAMS

The research of the Laboratory of Microsystems Nanoenineering is focused on the engineering of structures at the mesoscopic length scale. Patterns between the micrometer and nanometer bridges molecules and biological cells to microelectronics and microsystems, and further to the macroworld, and vice versa.

Standard photo-resist based lithography and micro/nano-fabrication methods reach limits when applied to advanced micro-and nanosystems (MEMS/NEMS). First, these limits are technological, e.g. in the situation mechanically fragile membranes or cantilevers, or chemically functionalized surfaces need to be structured. Secondly, the creation of arbitrary sub-micron size patterns is limited to complex and expensive lithography tools, which only allows standardized samples to be processed. New alternative nanopatterning methods, such as local molecular delivery by soft-lithography, thermo-mechanical indentation by nano-imprint lithography, local vacuum deposition through nanostencils, as well as scanning probe methods are therefore being further developed in our lab. One of their main specificity is that they cover the mesoscopic length scale and thereby bridge the "Top-Down" engineering methods and the "Bottom-Up" self-organization strategies. They furthermore allow for both, rapid prototyping and low-cost manufacturing, on a variety of surfaces and materials.

LMIS1 Official Website

Microsystems Technology Group (LMIS2), Prof. Martin Gijs

Key word: Microfluidics, Microfabrication, Lab-on-a-chip, Magnetic beads, Patch-clamp, DNA biosensor

The Microsystems Technology group has centered its activities around three major themes:

- Development and use of novel microfabrication technologies

- Miniaturized magnetic applications

- Microsystems for biomedical applications (bio-MEMS)

LMIS2 Official Website

Laboratory of Microsystems Integration (LMIS4), Prof. Philippe Renaud

Key word: Lab-on-chip Systems, On-chip Flow Cytometry, Single Cell Manipulation, Multielectrode Array

The research of the Laboratory of Microsystems4 is focussed on study of new micro-fabricated devices based on silicon and polymer microtechnology as well as on their integration for the realization of new types of hybrid or monolithic microsystems. Several projects are based on biosciences applications. We are studying new concepts to perform on-chip flow cytometry and single cell electroporation micro-devices. We also study multielectrode arrays for long-term stimulation and measurement of electrical activity of dissociated neuron cultures, rat spinal cord slice cultures and neonatal rat cardiomyocyte cultures.

LMIS4 Official Website

Advanced Photonics Laboratory (APL), Dr. Christian Depeursinge

Key word: Incoherent and Coherent Imaging, Digital Holographic Microscopy Spectroscopy, Raman, CARS, image processing and steering technology

Microvision and Microdiagnostics group is presently developing new microscopy techniques to detect and visualize thin layers of organic or inorganic materials (proteins, C-DNA, polymers, dielectrics and so on) and nanoparticles as well: metallic particles, quantum dots, vesicles and other labels. The observation of living cells, of their movements and adhesion to substrates is a domain of large interest for our group and for members of the NoE. DHM technology (Digital Holographic Microscopy) appears as a powerful tool to image these structures down to the nanoscale. A collaboration with a start-up company : Lyncée Tec SA is very active and aims at putting on the market instrument and expertise in this domain.

APL Official Website

Laboratory for Nanostructures and New Electronic Materials (LNNME), Prof. László Forro

Key word: Optical Trapping, Acoustic AFM, Ultrasonic Force Microscopy, Scanning Nanoindenter coupled with AFM, Electron Spin Resonance Spectrometry

The NN group consists of 20 scientists with interdisciplinary backgrounds (physics, chemistry, engineering, medicine, molecular biology) and is headed by Prof. László Forro. The main research interests of the groups are:

- Electronic, structural properties and synthesis of nanotubes, and nano-structured carbon materials (fullerenes like C60, carbon onions, carbon nanohorns)

- High Temperature Superconductivity (tunneling, resistivity measurements)

- Mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes and biological polymeric structures

- Design of instruments: High pressure Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) cavity, High pressure anvil ESR cavity, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) nanomanipulator, Photonic Force Microscopy (PFM)

LNNME Official Website

Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Polymers and Membranes (LCPPM), Prof. Horst Vogel

Key word: Molecular & cellular biology, Surface sensitive detection, Labels and labeling methods, Selfassembly and micropatterning of biopolymers

The 35 members of the LCPPM focus on biophysical chemistry and bionanotechnology. The group is active in the following fields: Cellular Signal transduction, Quantitative in vivo monitoring from whole cells to single molecules, Structure-function of ionotropic and G protein-coupled receptors, Selfassembly and micropatterning of biopolymers, Bioanalytics at the nanometer and attoliter scale, Labels and labeling methods.

LCPPM Official Website

Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces (LPI), Dr. Ravindranathan Thampi

Key word: Nanocristalline Oxides, Colloids, Photochemistry, Electrochemistry

The Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces (LPI) is a multi-disciplinary groupso far mainly acitve in the domain of photocatalysis, dye sensitized solar cells and fuel cells. The LPI has a strong expertise in photochemistry and photoelectrochemistry, surfaces chemistry, as well as the preparation of nanocrystalline materials and colloids, such as TiO2, ZnO, ZnS, CdS, CdSe, perovskites, Nb2O5, ZrO2. These materials are also studied as layers and films by using a variety of techniques.

LPI Official Website

Laboratory of Analytical and Physical Electrochemistry (LEPA), Prof. Hubert Girault

Key word: Microfluidics, Polymer Microsystems, Electrochemical Detection, Mass Spectrometry, Capillary Electrophoresis, Analytical Methodologies for Proteomics

The core activity of the lab lies in physical chemistry, whether for fundamental spectro-electrochemistry at liquid-liquid interfaces to investigate charge transfer processes at water/ oil interfaces, or for the re-investigation of analytical processes, mainly targeted towards the transfer of classical analytical processes in the microfluidic format (in particular devoted to protein analysis).

LEPA Official Website

Powder Technology Laboratory (LTP), Prof. Heinrich Hofmann

Key word: Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles, Drug Delivery, Photoluminescent Nanoparticles

The activity of LTP concentrates on two research topics:

- Development and synthesis of new types of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (10 nm diameter) for medical purposes, expecially for delivery of drugs to the exact target tissues by application of external magnetic fields. These multifunctional particles are useful for imaging (MRI), drug or gene delivery, separation and cancer treatement by hyperthermia.

- Development of photoluminescence manganese doped ZnS nanoparticles (5 nm diameter) with a high stability in a biological environment.

The activities of LTP are carried out in the form of various projects in many different areas of application and some in very close contact with industrial partners.

LTP Official Website

Laboratory of Stem Cell Dynamics (LDCS), Prof. Yann Barrandon

Key word: Adult Stem Cells, Molecular and Cell Biology, Microsurgery & Cell Culture

The Laboratory of Stem Cell Dynamics (LDCS) is part of the joint venture between the EPFL and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). LDCS is a member of the Institute for Biological Engineering and Biotechnology (EPFL). Most basic research is done in the laboratory located at School of Life Sciences (EPFL), while most transplantation experiments are done in the Department of Experimental Surgery (CHUV).

We focus on the study of adult stem cells. We are mainly interested in stem cell trafficking and lineage specification. The LDCS is a leading international authority in the field and is active in several European research projects (EuroStemCell, Therapeuskin).

Our studies require the development of microbiotechnologies and the use of nanotechnologies. We have up to date equipment and laboratory facilities. The lab has full access to confocal fluorescence microscope, FACS instrument (flow cytometry), laser microdissection and DNA microarrays.

LDCS Official Website