Thesis Project Form

Title (tentative): Design, realization and validation of a microfluidic device for the analysis of circulating breast cancer cells

Thesis advisor(s): Fato Marco Massimo, Ing. Silvia Scaglione (CNR) E-mail:
Address: Via All'Opera Pia, 13 - 16145 Genova Phone: (+39) 010 33 52789
Description

Motivation and application domain
Cancer cells metastasize through the bloodstream either as single migratory circulating tumor cells or as multicellular groupings. Existing technologies are designed to isolate single CTCs, and although CTC clusters are detectable in some cases, their true prevalence and significance remain to be determined. Here we want to realize a microfluidic technology to be used to capture both CTCs and CTC clusters.

General objectives and main activities
The goal of this thesis is to design a completely new technology, able to isolate circulating cells. The student will design the prototype by CAD, realize it (Rapid Prototyping stereolithography/3D printing and validated by the use of breast cancer cell lines), test its biocompatibility and the technical features.
The work will be constituted by a major experimental part (cell culture, optical microscopy, fluorescence confocal microscopy) and consequent data analysis (ImageJ, MATLAB).

Training Objectives (technical/analytical tools, experimental methodologies)
The goal of this thesis is to design a completely new technology, able to isolate circulating cells.
• CAD design
• Cell culture
• Fluorescence confocal microscopy
• Image analysis

Place(s) where the thesis work will be carried out: CNR – Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, istituto IEIIT, Biolab - DIBRIS -UNIGE

Additional information

Pre-requisite abilities/skills: interest in experimental work; initiative and curiosity…

Maximum number of students: 1