This experience was at the University of Puerto Rico in the BioMEMS Research Lab.
The BioMEMS Research Lab at UPRM is part of the Mechanical Engineering department and counts with the collaboration of several different departments (Chemistry, Biology and others) of the UPRM. The BioMEMS Research Lab is specialized in the design and development of microfluidic devices for biological assays with applications in health and environmental sciences.
In here I had the experience of working under the expertise of Dr. Pedro Resto and graduate student Frances Heredia with the design and development of: an assay for the detection of cfDNA in aqueous solution based on gold nanoparticles and, a microfluidics device for the ease of use of the cfDNA assay for future applications.
In this research experience I gained deep knowledge of laboratory techniques including and not limited to:
- Development of a highly sensitive cell-free double-stranded DNA colorimetric assay with gold nanoparticles
- Design and development of a microfluidics device for ease of use of the cfDNA assay
- Nanoparticle fixation with starch-based polymerization
Also encountering troubleshooting in the following areas:
- Microfluidics device suffering leaks due to poor adhesion of device pieces
- Problems with the fixation of nanoparticles due to reactant nature
- Microfluidics device constant design change and development due to changes in DNA assay and general objectives of project
Textual Tensions 