Microfluidics for Microbiologists

During this workshop, students will acquire basic knowledge on the different steps involved in microfluidics-based experiments, starting from the scientific question to the video-microscopy experiment.

Day 1: principles of microfluidics and why it is interesting for the microbiologist, Followed by install party of the KLayout software on their laptop. Identification of a scientific question and design of a microfluidic chip on KLayout. Conference of Igor Ozerov on the microfabrication technique in the CINAM.

Day 2 (µfab part 1): 1 group in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Visit of the clean room of Luminy and microfabrication of Day 1’s design using the µMLA hard lithography technique.

Day 3 (µfab part 2): Morning: soft lithography and chip building. Afternoon (plumbing and video microscopy): test drive of the chip in abiootic conditions using fluorescent tracers and dyes.

Day 4 (Biological experiment): All day, using the microfluidic chip, answer the scientific question.

At the end of the workshop, the student will be able to design, fabricate, test, and finally use a microfluidics chip.

Students prerequisites

• Agreement of the thesis director