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Welcome to Warkiani Lab
At the Warkiani Lab, we are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge microfluidic technologies with a focus on commercialization. Our mission is to harness the power of microfluidics to address critical challenges in biomedical research, from sorting rare cells to creating innovative organ-on-a-chip models. Our vision is to transform the landscape of healthcare and diagnostics through pioneering technologies that improve the accuracy and efficiency of medical interventions. We are committed to bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and practical applications, driving advancements that have a real-world impact. Research Areas
1- Microfluidic Cell Sorting 2- Organ-on-a-chip 3- IVF Technologies |
Microfluidic Cell Sorting
Particle and cell sorting is essential for a range of applications, from stem cell research to cancer therapy. Recent advancements in microfluidic platforms have greatly enhanced the isolation and fractionation of cells. Efficient, high-throughput cell enrichment is a crucial preparatory step in many chemical and biological assays, driving the development of innovative microscale separation techniques. In our lab, we have led the way in developing inertial microfluidic platforms for diverse applications. These include the separation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood and urine, concentration of algae cells for biofuel production, purification of yeast cells for biotechnology, and fractionation of stem cells (MSCs) and normal blood cells for regenerative medicine. Our platforms leverage the principles of inertial and passive sorting to achieve high precision and efficiency. We utilize a combination of advanced modeling and experimental techniques to investigate the inertial migration of particles in microchannels, exploring a wide range of parameters. This research enables us to design and optimize microfluidic devices with superior separation efficiency. Our innovations have broad applications, including bioprocessing, hemodialysis, and exosome therapy, and hold the potential to transform various fields by improving the accuracy and scalability of cell and particle sorting processes.
Organ-on-a-Chip
Microfluidic platforms are creating powerful tools for cell biologists to control the complete cellular microenvironment, leading to new questions and new discoveries. In our group, we are using advanced microfabrication techniques to build simple to use microfluidics devices to mimic live organ physiology. We recently developed a temporarily sealed microfluidic stamping device (2D) which utilizes a novel valve design for patterning various cell types to study cell-cell interactions in a multitude of applications. Using the same concept, we developed a new platform to generate hundreds of uniform stationary droplets for single cell culture and analysis. Our method offers a new approach to easily capture, image and culture single (or multiple) cells in a chemically isolated microenvironment for high-throughput single-cell assays. We are also developing novel 3D microfluidic devices (organ-on-a-chips) to quantify behavior of cells within mixed, structurally complex populations and systems. Such devices, methods, and associated computational analysis of timelapsed responses can aid in creating in vitro assays that more accurately mimic conditions in vivo.
IVF Technologies
Our lab is at the cutting edge of advancing IVF technologies, including the development of pioneering sperm sorting platforms that mimic natural reproductive processes. We have designed and implemented microfluidic systems that replicate the conditions of the female reproductive tract to enhance the selection of viable sperm. Additionally, our AI-powered platform, SpermSearch, represents a significant breakthrough in sperm analysis. By leveraging advanced algorithms, SpermSearch enables precise identification and evaluation of sperm quality, contributing to improved IVF outcomes. This platform is also being integrated with single-cell analysis tools to refine sperm selection further and support effective cryopreservation techniques. Through these innovations, we aim to enhance reproductive technologies and support better fertility preservation and treatment options.
