Course C-2 (2:00 pm -5:00 pm, June 5, 2011)
Lab-on-a-chip technologies for applications in the life sciences

Abstract:
Microfluidics is the enabling technology behind the idea of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems, i.e., systems that combine all the necessary functions to perform a chemical or biochemical reaction or protocol in miniaturized format on a small piece of silicon, glass or polymer. To arrive at such systems, all the required functional elements need to be integrated, i.e., pumps, valves, mixers, reactors, injectors, electrodes, sensors, detectors – to name but a few.
This class will take a closer look at design challenges and material and fabrication issues of some selected functional elements, but also discuss the unique pros and cons of the miniaturized format with respect to performance, reproducibility and longevity.
The class will then focus on a number of examples where LOCs are being developed to tackle problems in medical diagnostics, biochemical assay, cell-based analysis, drug development or in forensic settings.

Short Biography:
Professor Dr. Jörg P. Kutter: He received his B.S in chemistry in 1991, and his Ph. D. in analytical chemistry in 1995, both from the University of Ulm, Germany. Both theses focused on chromatographic and electrophoretic separation techniques. After graduation, he was a postdoctoral research fellow in the Laser Spectroscopy and Microinstrumentation Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge, TN, USA) developing microchip-based analytical tools. In June 1998, he joined the Department of Micro and Nanotechnology (formerly, MIC) of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Lyngby, Denmark. In 2006, he was appointed professor in experimental lab-on-a-chip systems at DTU. He is group leader of the internal ChemLabChip Group focusing on the development of microfluidic devices for applications in life sciences. He is also head of the LabChip section of the department.
Dr. Kutter has extensive experience in leading scientific projects, has supervised and co-supervised 18 PhD students, has more than 60 international peer-reviewed publications and books/book chapters and is involved in several international conference committees and professional organizations.