CRC Press Micro and Nano Techniques for the Handling of Biological Samples

Several micro- and nanomanipulation techniques have emerged in recent decades thanks to advances in micro- and nanofabrication. For instance, the atomic force microscope (AFM) uses a nano-sized tip to image, push, pull, cut, and indent biological material in air, liquid, or vacuum. Using micro- and nanofabrication techniques, scientists can make manipulation tools, such as microgrippers and nanotweezers, on the same length scale as the biological samples. Micro and Nano Techniques for the Handling of Biological Samples reviews the different techniques available to manipulate and integrate biological materials in a controlled manner, either by sliding them along a surface (2-D manipulation), or by gripping and moving them to a new position (3-D manipulation). The advantages and drawbacks are mentioned together with examples that reflect the state-of-the-art in manipulation techniques for biological samples. Thanks to the advances in micro- and nanomanipulation techniques, the integration of biomaterials with physical transducers has been possible, giving rise to new and highly sensitive biosensing devices. Although great progress has been made, challenges are still present. To understand the complex interactions between and inside biological samples, scientists will always be working on improving technologies to manipulate, transport, sort, and integrate samples in different environments. Balanced between simplicity for the beginner and hardcore theory for the more advanced readers, this book is the ideal launching point for sharpening the scientific tools required to address these challenges. Review "Written as a multi-authored text by pioneers and specialists in their respective research fields, this timely monograph is not only an exhaustive and updated compilation of bibliography related to micro and nano techniques in use for efficient manipulation and integration of biological materials, but also a practical guide for all those interested in their direct application to practical studies. This book is an ideal text for academics, physicians and scientists working in this interesting and promising research area, but is also suitable for newcomers trying to obtain a general but complete overview of the subject."―Chromatographia, (2013) 76:299–300 About the Author Jaime Castillo-León was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, in 1973. He graduated from the Industrial University of Santander (Bucaramanga, Colombia) with a BSc in Chemistry. He received his PhD degree in 2005 at the Department of Biotechnology, Lund University, Sweden. His PhD work involved the fabrication of electrochemical biosensors for detection of compounds of biomedical importance using cellular models. In 2006 he worked as Postdoc at the Analytical Chemistry Department at Bochum University (Germany) in the development of amperometric biosensors for biomedical applications. He currently holds a position as Assistant Professor within the Nano-Bio integrated Systems group (NaBIS) at the Department of Micro and Nanotechnology, DTU Nanotech, Technical University of Denmark. His research focuses on micro and nanotechnologies for the development of biosensing devices for biomedical applications. A strong focus is currently set on manipulation, characterization and integration of biological self-assembled nanostructures with micro and nano devices for the development of bioelectronic sensing platforms and drug delivery systems. Maria Dimaki was born in Athens, Greece, in 1978. She graduated amongst the top 2% of her year with an M.Eng. from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens in 2000 and first in her year with distinction with an M.Sc. degree in Engineering and Physical Science in Medicine in 2001 from the department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London, England. Maria then joined the Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology at the Technical University of Denmark,