Low-Cost Automated Microarray System
Additional Information
Note: This is an ongoing project. More information and images will be added as the project progresses.
Update: My team and I recently attended the Northeast Bioengineering Conference where we received third place in the Undergraduate Design Contest.
In medical diagnostics, microarrays are used to test hundreds of biomolecules at the same time to speed up testing purposes. Current microarray fabricating tools cost upwards of $50,000. The goal of this project is to create a more affordable microarray printing solution.
Using SolidWorks, 3D printing, and mechatronic assistance, my design group and I will create a robotic benchtop system capable of dropping multiple droplets of bio-solution in a 12 mm x 8 mm area. The system requires precise motorized lateral movement along the surface being printed, with controlled liquid deposition in the vertical direction. Control of the motors will be handled by a microprocessor for an easy-to-use and affordable robotic microarray printing system.
I am focusing specifically on the dispensing mechanism for the microarray spotter. The image to the right shows a model of the mechanism. The stepper motor at the top will be controlled by the Arduino to rotate a lead screw. As the lead screw rotates, the green pieces will move down and push the plunger of a 1 mL syringe to release a small amount of bio-solution.
Model of Dispensing Mechanism