Team 01

Team Members

Faculty Advisor

Emily Losiewicz
Thaonguyen Michelle Nguyen
Ashaleigh Pitter
Kevin Trainor
Abigail Egan

Yupeng Chen

Sponsor

UConn Biomedical Engineering Department

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Design of a Microfluidic Device for the Assembly of Nanoparticles

The project focuses on enhancing the assembly of DNA-inspired Janus particles for efficient RNA delivery, a crucial technique for gene editing and tissue engineering. While current methods rely on traditional approaches, this project introduces Janus Base Nano Pieces (JBNps), a novel family of RNA delivery vehicles with DNA-inspired structures. By encapsulating mRNA these particles ensure targeted delivery and protection of therapeutic cargo into cells. This innovative approach facilitates precise genetic editing in target cells and minimizes off-target effects, promising significant advancements in medical treatments. DNA-based JBNps offer unique advantages in drug delivery, including enhanced stability, carrier capacity, and controlled release, leading to more efficient drug targeting and reduced side effects. The surface charge on the JBNps' exterior facilitates mRNA binding and cellular uptake, improving the delivery of functional proteins within targeted tissues. The goal of this project is to ensure the structural integrity of JBNps, determine the ideal flow rate, obtain positive zeta potential values, maintain ideal size during assembly, and compare the microfluidic device method to the conventional sonication method (control group). Currently, Dr. Chen's research lab has only been using sonication to create the JBNps. However, it can be very time-consuming as it requires manual labor from the researchers and is less efficient. The microfluidic device can reduce the time and mass produce the JBNps. Given the ongoing experimentation in Dr. Chen's research lab with the synthesis of JBNps using the conventional method in space, the senior design project can be extended by conducting JBNps synthesis using the Herringbone microfluidic chip in space. By comparing the characteristics of JBNps synthesized on Earth with those synthesized in microgravity, valuable insights into the impact of the space environment on JBNps synthesis can be obtained.