42724 Microfluidics in Biology and Medicine
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Honours Embedded Degree owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Honours Degree owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Honours Degree co-owned by FEIT
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
Microfluidics, a technology characterised by the engineered manipulation of fluids at the micro-scale, has shown considerable promise in point-of-care diagnostics and clinical research. Microfluidic platforms are creating powerful tools for cell biologists to control the complete cellular microenvironment, leading to new questions and new discoveries. This subject introduces students to the concepts of Microfluidics and the challenges and opportunities for manipulating biological matters and chemicals at the micro-scale. Through educational videos and interactive (virtual) laboratory sessions, students learn how to build functional miniaturised devices (so called Lab-on-a-chips) for particle/cell separation, fluid mixing, and single cell analysis. In this subject, students further engage in real-world scenarios using microfluidics in medicine and biology.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify, and understand microfluidic principles in the context of the medical industry and current research problems. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Formulate and apply a 3D CAD model with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis towards designing a medically relevant microfluidic device. (C.1) |
| 3. | Critically analyse and communicate disciplinary knowledge and practices to a wide range of audiences. (E.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering should note that this subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject will offer several different modes of curricular activities to enhance the student’s learning experience both individually and in groups.
This will include face-to-face (or via Zoom) classes (~1 hr lecture), which will be complemented by independent learning activities (~2-4 hrs per week) including lab-based works, and interactive tutorial sessions (group activity).
The subject will provide an interactive and hands-on learning experience:
- Interactive lecture tutorial components
- Computer-based laboratory sessions (instructor guided)
- Tutorial questions and laboratory projects designed to give further practice in the application of microfluidics theories and procedures
Content (topics)
- Introduction to microfluidics
- Fundamentals of micro-fabrication
- Microfluidics design using SOLIDWORKS
- Microfluidics modelling and simulation using COMSOL
- Soft-lithography for microfluidic device fabrication
- 3D-printing at the microscale level
- Biomimetic sensors
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Journal report
| Intent: | This task will develop your research skills in selecting and evaluating scientific literature within the microfluidic area. You will develop strategies and skills for writing short concise reports pertaining to your selected journal. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 800 words |
Assessment task 2: e-Poster (literature review)
| Intent: | This task is intended to develop your ability to create a poster to visually communicate key ideas and designs relating to microfluidic technologies. Furthermore, this task will allow you to develop oral presentation skills similar to those skills required in industry and research. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 1 poster single A0 size format |
Assessment task 3: Group project (3D printing and CFD report)
| Intent: | To complete a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation for a microfluidic-based project. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 3000-word report. |
Assessment task 4: Group Project presentation (on a selected topic)
| Intent: | The aim of this task is to promote collaboration between class members and to develop skills in communicating these complex ideas to a general audience. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 15-minute presentation followed by 5 min Q&A |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Recommended texts
- Microfluidics in Biotechnology, Janina Bahnemann,; Alexander Grünberge, Springer 2022
- Fundamentals and Applications of Microfluidics, Nguyen N.T., Wereley S., 2006, Second Edition, Artech House, Boston, London.
- Microfluidic and Microfabrication, Suman Chakraborty, Springer.