Lab-on-a-Chip Technologies
Within CellTIVITY, we are developing a lab-on-a-chip platform applicable to multiple biomarker classes, including cells, vesicles, and proteins. The focus is on integrated end-to-end workflows combining microfluidic pumping, controlled incubation, precise magnetic manipulation, sensing, and data analysis. Targeted in-vitro diagnostic applications include quantitative magnetic flow cytometry and stochastic exosome sensing.
Quantitative Phase Imaging Flow Cytometry
By combining quantitative phase imaging, precise microfluidic flow focusing, and advanced image analysis algorithms, we develop a label-free, sample-preparation-free imaging flow cytometry platform, CellFACE, for applications in hematology, cytology, parasitology, and functional cell analysis, including the characterization of blood cell aggregates.
Live Tissue Analysis
Within CellTEST, we develop scalable, oil-free cell encapsulation methods and dedicated consumables for impedance-based 3D cell culture sensing, enabling robust, high-throughput screening of cell aggregates and spheroids.
Biomedical Acoustofluidics
The feedback-controlled acoustofluidic platform CellLEGO enables contact-free three-dimensional cultivation, manipulation, and microscopic analysis of cells and spheroids under near-physiological conditions. With precise control of perfusion and temperature, the platform can be seamlessly integrated with a wide range of microscopy modalities, allowing continuous, long-term monitoring in a microfluidic environment.
Paper-Based Infection Diagnostics
Utilizing smart paper strips with integrated filters, the BugSense platform enables decentralized pathogen testing through controlled culturing workflows. By integrating biochemical assays, regulated incubation, and image-based image analysis, the system supports reliable, multiplexed detection of bacterial presence, pathogen identification, quantification of bacterial load, and assessment of antimicrobial resistance, for example, in point-of-care urinary tract infection diagnostics.
Bioinspired Nanovesicles
Using sterile microfluidic workflows, we develop the Xcycles platform to produce nanovesicles from primary cells for therapeutic applications.
Telecentric Quantitative Phase Microscopy
Near-focus interference-based quantitative phase microscopy (NFI) with self-calibration properties is developed for compact, modular systems. With novel flow-focusing consumables featuring integrated Fabry-Pérot resonators, we aim to enhance the NFI contrast for next-generation sample-preparation-free hematology analyzers. The NFI is additionally supporting projects, such as CellLEGO, for tomographic applications.