3D focused on-chip cell sorting for rare cell recovery – Experimental investigation and technology development
Master projects/internships - Leuven | Just now
Bring engineering to the edge of biology; Precisely control and sorting cells in motion on a silicon chip.
Imec is a global leader in semiconductor innovation and microfabrication technologies. Within an interdisciplinary team, we explore how microchips can transform biomedical research and diagnostics. This internship centers on the development and evaluation of on-chip cell sorters aimed at isolating rare cells directly from blood samples. These cells are often extremely scarce, requiring technologies that combine exceptional recovery rates with gentle handling to preserve biological integrity. In this chip generation, three-dimensional hydrodynamic focusing is integrated, which allows more precise sample alignment and improved sorting efficiency. As part of the project, the candidate will investigate the technical performance and reliability of the device, examine aspects such as fluidic stability and device lifetime, while also assessing target sample purity and recovery yield.
This internship also offers a purely hands-on opportunity to work at the interface of microfluidics, optics, and biomedicine, providing a comprehensive understanding of how advanced the sorting platform can be engineered for diagnostic applications.
Type of Project: Internship
Master's degree: Master of Science; Master of Engineering Technology; Master of Engineering Science; Master of Bioengineering
Duration: 6-8 months
Master program: Biomedical engineering; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Physics; Bioscience Engineering
For more information or application, please contact the supervising scientists Radin Tahvildari (radin.tahvildari@imec.be) and Sarah Libbrecht (sarah.libbrecht@imec.be).