Development of an ROS-sensor for the microfluidic bioreactor

Climate change puts new stresses on plants like severe weather conditions or the easier spreading of diseases. Thus, protecting our native and agricultural plants becomes a key challenge for the agriculture and forestry industry. However, present approaches e.g., using strong herbicides are lacking in the sustainable point of view. A more sustainable approach to plant protection could be to target the (chemical) communication between plants and their aggressors. For my Ph.D. thesis research I develop, adapt, and manufacture a modular microfluidic bioreactor that is used to investigate this communication by dissecting the communicational path through cultivating cells of one kind in a modular microfluidic bioreactor (MBR) and then linking the different MBRs through a unidirectional supply flow.
In my research at the laboratory of Prof. Sanati Nezhad, I would like to develop a way to detect and measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the MBR. Since, ROS are a natural byproduct of standard aerobic metabolism, they play significant roles in cell signaling. This includes the research on and selection of a suitable ROS-sensor. A leakproof connection design for removably attaching the sensor to the MBR. And the manufacturing and testing of the chosen sensor-connection-combination for and in the MBR.

Faculty Supervisor:

Amir Sanati Nezhad

Student:

Partner:

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Calgary

Program: