Progettazione e Validazione di un Dispositivo Microfluidico Automatizzato per la Ricerca sul Neuroblastoma

Microfluidics, a research field characterised by the manipulation of fluids at micro-scale level, has demonstrated significant possibilities for improving biology research. Some properties of microfluidics devices, such as precise control of fluids during experiments, miniaturization and high throughput of samples, have made microfluidic an appealing alternative to conventional methods of biological research. The aim of this thesis is the design and validation of an automated microfluidic platform for long-term biological applications. This new microfluidic device has the following characteristics: rapid processing, high efficiency, low fluid consumption, ease of use, reproducibility and limiting human error. The microfluidic device (in PDMS) has been realised with soft lithography technique based on replica molding processes, which used master molds produced by photolithographic method. The platform is automated using a programmable software; thus, the experiment is controlled by the software and can reproduce the work of the operator in the same scale. The mechanical and fluid dynamic characterization gives positive results. The mechanical resistance of the platform, in particulary the valves, showed the desired results and the fluid behaviour within the channels is homogeneous.