Thesis Project Form

Cardiac in vitro models are a powerful tool for drug development and the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanism of different pathologies. In roder to exploit such models, microsystems capable to perform functional measurements of both the electrical and mechanical activity of cardiac cells are needed

The thesis will investigate cardiomyocyte cells mechanical contraction by impedance measurement using a microsystem made of interdigitated microelectrodes. The candidate will design and fabricate of the microsystem, as well as deal with the preparation of the cell culture. Impedance measurements will be performed in order to determine the best design to achieve the most sensitive contraction characterization of cells.

Microsystem design, Microfabrication, Impedance measurement, Cell culture, Electrophysiology.