Description

Corral trapping is a method conceived in our research group that allows confining microscopic particles and biomolecules (e.g. DNA) in their native solution environment through the use of electric fields generated by applying a voltage to a patterned electrode surface (consisting of metal-free circular areas, the corral traps). Potential applications of this technology range from fundamental research (e.g. fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, single molecule spectroscopy) to medical research (DNA sequencing, biomolecule tracking) and chemical analysis and separations. Methods used in this research encompass high-resolution optical microscopy, super-resolution localization imaging, the fabrication of microfluidic devices using photolithographic methods, thermal evaporation of thin metal films, and advanced image analysis algorithms programmed in MATLAB.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Student tasks will encompass data analysis and algorithm development as well as carrying out the methodologies and techniques used in our research laboratory (high-resolution optical microscopy, super-resolution localization imaging, microfluidic device fabrication, thermal evaporation of thin metal films, electron microscopy).

Desired Qualifications

None