PhD position : Development of Laser-generated Surface Acoustic Wave Immuno-sensors

Institut Lumière Matière ILM- UMR 5306 CNRS / Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1; Villeurbanne; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A research institute in France is seeking a Ph.D. student to develop a laser-based Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) biosensor for early disease diagnosis. The role includes designing and fabricating sensors, characterizing their performance, and conducting biochemical protocols. The ideal candidate should possess a Master's degree in a relevant field and have a strong background in optics and acoustics. The project is funded by the EU and offers a supportive research environment.

Qualifications

• Strong background in optics and acoustics.
• Experience with experimental design.
• Familiarity with signal processing techniques.

Responsabilités

• Design and fabricate an all-optical SAW sensor.
• Characterize sensor performance and identify optimal configurations.
• Conduct biochemical protocols for sensor functionalization.
• Analyze immuno-sensing performance of the biosensor.

Connaissances

Numerical analysis

Microfabrication techniques

Biochemical protocols

Data analysis

Formation

Master's degree in relevant field

Description du poste

Topic description

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices have emerged as promising candidates for the advancement of rapid, low-cost, lab-on-chip point-of-care biosensors. These biosensing devices offer potential for early disease diagnosis and biomarker monitoring due to their sensitivity in detecting small variations in mechanical properties (i.e. changes in mass, density, rigidity, viscosity) resulting from cellular processes such as division, differentiation, communication and death, as well as subcellular events like DNA replication, protein folding, and organelle biogenesis. However, existing SAW biosensors typically rely on bulky piezoelectric substrates with interdigitated electrodes, which often lack biocompatibility and operate at fixed acoustic frequencies, limiting their sensitivity and agility. Additionally, integrating and interfacing such devices with other biomedical and microfluidic systems poses significant challenges due to their unwieldy electronic settings.

To address these limitations, opto-acoustic techniques present an alternative approach. These techniques utilize laser light to generate and probe high frequency ultrasonic waves. In this project, we propose to leverage opto-acoustic schemes to design and develop a laser-based SAW biosensor operating over a wide frequency spectrum, ranging from tens of MHz up to a GHz. We will use laser-induced diffraction gratings to excite and probe these high-frequency SAWs remotelywithout the need of interdigitated piezoelectric transducers. This biosensor aims to enable fast and efficient detection of cellular and biomolecular processes, including specific antibody-antigen binding events, serving as a proof of concept. Since the sensing mechanism of SAW devices relies primarily on mass-loading to detect binding events, resolution can be limited by the low mass of molecular antibodies. To enhance signal detection and render our sensor more sensitive, we propose to use functionalized biocompatible and biodegradable micro-dropletsas signal amplifiers. Droplets functionalized with antibodies will bind specifically the antigen and enhance the mass-loading by several orders of magnitude. The adhesion of the droplet on the antigen-covered surface will additionally allow us to measure the antigen-antibody binding energy. Finally, we will leverage our droplet-assisted sensitive SAW immuno-sensor to detect typical autoantibodies associated with autoimmune disorders, such as those found in rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

As part of this, the Ph.D. student will help implement the necessary tools to :

1. Design and fabricate an all-optical SAW sensor using numerical (finite element analysis) tools and microfabrication techniques
2. Characterize the performance and sensitivity of the sensor and identify its optimal parameters and configuration using optoacoustic setups and analytical / numerical analysis
3. Perform the biochemical protocols needed for the functionalization of the sensor surface and signal amplifiers
4. Measure and analyze the immuno-sensing performance of the biosensor

Starting date

• 01-01

Funding

Funding category: EU funding

Funding further details: COFUND