Techniques to study, work and locally probe adherent cells and tissues at micrometer distances from cell surfaces in “open space” would represent a major advance for the biology of biointerfaces.

To this end, one needs tools for observing, patterning, assaying and stimulating biological interfaces, which can address a range of dimensions and volumes commensurate with the cell. Key is to control the physics and chemistry of these interfaces.

Within the BioProbe framework, we will:

• advance a non-contact, scanning technology, which spatially confines nanoliter volumes of (bio)chemicals for interacting with cells at the μm-length scale. This technology called the vertical microfluidic probe hydrodynamically shapes liquids on biological surfaces.


• work on problems ranging from accurate processing of tissue sections, screening diverse libraries to selected topics in regenerative medicine.