The Biofluidics and Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems Laboratory (BMOEMS Lab) was established by Professor Han-Sheng Chuang in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at National Cheng Kung University on August 2, 2011. Despite facing limited funding, manpower, space, and resources at its inception, the lab has overcome challenges through the hard work and dedication of its students and faculty, and has gradually gained momentum. The main mission of the lab is to extensively utilize cutting-edge micro-opto-electro-mechanical technologies to assist in the development of biomedical fluidic detection, manipulation, and biomechanical measurement techniques.
Currently, the lab's research can be broadly categorized into two main topics: (1) development of biomedical microchips and (2) micro-scale biomechanical measurements. Biomedical microchips are a forward-looking technology actively developed both domestically and internationally. Through biomedical microchips, concepts such as point-of-care testing, disease screening, theranostics, and lab-on-a-chip can be realized. The lab currently possesses various optoelectronic technologies including Rapid Optoelectrokinetic Patterning (REP), Optoelectronic Tweezers (OTs), Optoelectrowetting (OEW), and Dielectrophoresis (DEP). Ongoing research includes signal enhancement for diabetic retinopathy, cell patterning, ultra-micro viscometry, and bio-particle purification.
In addition, the research on micro-scale biomechanics is primarily conducted using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Compared to other model organisms such as mice, rabbits, and zebrafish, C. elegans has advantages such as low cost of maintenance, simple structure, transparent body, small size, complete genome sequencing, and short life cycle, making it suitable for industries such as genetic engineering, neuroscience, and drug development. The lab focuses on the study of neurodegenerative diseases and investigates the relationship between the biomechanics, lifespan, and progeny count of C. elegans under different conditions in response to external stimuli such as movement and heat shock proteins. Furthermore, the lab actively develops various micro-scale tools to assist in the manipulation of C. elegans, such as using microfluidic droplet sorting chips to encapsulate C. elegans in droplets, and then using electrical impedance and electrowetting to separate C. elegans under different conditions. This chip is expected to be applicable for screening circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood circulation.
Currently, our laboratory retains two regular projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) each year. In addition, the approval rate for our laboratory's undergraduate student projects has consistently remained at 100%. To enhance our students' international perspectives and research capabilities, we have established long-term and successful collaborations with Dr. K.C. Kim from Pusan National University in South Korea, Dr. Richard Yongqing Fu from the University of the West of Scotland in the United Kingdom, Dr. Aloke Kumar from the University of Alberta in Canada, Dr. Steve Wereley from Purdue University in the United States, and Dr. Stuart Williams from Lewisburg University in the United States. Each year, based on students' research achievements, we encourage them to write high-quality papers and participate in international conferences to cultivate their ability to communicate with international peers and foster talent for future research, while boosting their self-confidence.
Similar to the Department of Biomedical Engineering, which is like a small college of engineering, students in our laboratory come from various fields, including mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physical therapy, medical radiation technology, biomedical engineering, mathematics, materials science, and more. Due to the wide-ranging research field of biomedical fluids, it is necessary to gather talents from different disciplines and leverage their expertise to develop the technologies we need. The summer vacation is the time when new students join the laboratory, and we take this opportunity to provide one-month training for newcomers to ensure that everyone possesses the knowledge and skills required in our laboratory, so there is no need to worry about being unqualified. In summary, the BMOEMS laboratory is a young laboratory with ambitious goals since its establishment, aiming to become a pioneer in non-traditional biomedical engineering fields. Therefore, we sincerely welcome students with aspirations from various fields to join our research family.
Currently, the lab's research can be broadly categorized into two main topics: (1) development of biomedical microchips and (2) micro-scale biomechanical measurements. Biomedical microchips are a forward-looking technology actively developed both domestically and internationally. Through biomedical microchips, concepts such as point-of-care testing, disease screening, theranostics, and lab-on-a-chip can be realized. The lab currently possesses various optoelectronic technologies including Rapid Optoelectrokinetic Patterning (REP), Optoelectronic Tweezers (OTs), Optoelectrowetting (OEW), and Dielectrophoresis (DEP). Ongoing research includes signal enhancement for diabetic retinopathy, cell patterning, ultra-micro viscometry, and bio-particle purification.
In addition, the research on micro-scale biomechanics is primarily conducted using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Compared to other model organisms such as mice, rabbits, and zebrafish, C. elegans has advantages such as low cost of maintenance, simple structure, transparent body, small size, complete genome sequencing, and short life cycle, making it suitable for industries such as genetic engineering, neuroscience, and drug development. The lab focuses on the study of neurodegenerative diseases and investigates the relationship between the biomechanics, lifespan, and progeny count of C. elegans under different conditions in response to external stimuli such as movement and heat shock proteins. Furthermore, the lab actively develops various micro-scale tools to assist in the manipulation of C. elegans, such as using microfluidic droplet sorting chips to encapsulate C. elegans in droplets, and then using electrical impedance and electrowetting to separate C. elegans under different conditions. This chip is expected to be applicable for screening circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood circulation.
Currently, our laboratory retains two regular projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) each year. In addition, the approval rate for our laboratory's undergraduate student projects has consistently remained at 100%. To enhance our students' international perspectives and research capabilities, we have established long-term and successful collaborations with Dr. K.C. Kim from Pusan National University in South Korea, Dr. Richard Yongqing Fu from the University of the West of Scotland in the United Kingdom, Dr. Aloke Kumar from the University of Alberta in Canada, Dr. Steve Wereley from Purdue University in the United States, and Dr. Stuart Williams from Lewisburg University in the United States. Each year, based on students' research achievements, we encourage them to write high-quality papers and participate in international conferences to cultivate their ability to communicate with international peers and foster talent for future research, while boosting their self-confidence.
Similar to the Department of Biomedical Engineering, which is like a small college of engineering, students in our laboratory come from various fields, including mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physical therapy, medical radiation technology, biomedical engineering, mathematics, materials science, and more. Due to the wide-ranging research field of biomedical fluids, it is necessary to gather talents from different disciplines and leverage their expertise to develop the technologies we need. The summer vacation is the time when new students join the laboratory, and we take this opportunity to provide one-month training for newcomers to ensure that everyone possesses the knowledge and skills required in our laboratory, so there is no need to worry about being unqualified. In summary, the BMOEMS laboratory is a young laboratory with ambitious goals since its establishment, aiming to become a pioneer in non-traditional biomedical engineering fields. Therefore, we sincerely welcome students with aspirations from various fields to join our research family.