The workshop lecture series will begin with an introduction and overview of micro and nano biotechnology and applications. This will be followed by more in depth lectures on 1) Microfluidics and applications in biomedical technologies, 2) Additive Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping, and 3) 3D Bioprinting in tissue engineering. The purpose of these lectures is to give participants an overview of the current trends and applications of micro and nano biotechnologies in a number of fields.

Participants will first learn the basics of Computer Aided Design (CAD) software (AutoCAD). Design rules and limitations will be discussed for high resolution 3D printing. In the interactive portion of the session, participants will design and make adjustments to a CAD model for a 3D printed microfluidic device with bioengineering applications. Computers are provided; however, participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops.

3D Printing
Participants will be introduced to the benefits and shortcomings of rapid prototyping in microfluidic applications using a 3D printer with 50 micrometer resolution. You will get to see the printing process for your devices (designed during module 2) and take them home.
3D Bioprinting: Human Tissues on Demand with Next Generation 3D Bioprinting
Aspect Biosystems' unique Lab-on-a-Printer™ technology merges cutting-edge advancements in 3D printing, microfluidics and biomaterials to recreate the structure and complexity necessary to build functional human tissues. In this workshop, you will get an introduction to the RX1 Bioprinting platform and explore the considerations for designing and printing functional 3D tissues. We will also be bioprinting relevant tissue structures that can be broadly applied to various tissue engineering applications.
Microfluidics: Miniaturized Mosaic Immunoassays
Using this assay, many different antigens can be screened at the same time in a small area using a minute amount of reagents, making the assays less labour-, time- and cost- intensive. You will learn how to handle microfluidic devices that operate based on capillary effects only (no pumps, no plugs), and that can be serviced manually using conventional micropipettes. You will learn how to use microfluidics to pattern lines of antibodies onto a surface to carry out combinatorial miniaturized mosaic immunoassay.
Cell-Laden Hydrogel Patterning
In this experiment, a 3D-printed stamp is used to print cells in hydrogels onto cell culture substrates. The stamp, made of photocurable resin, is obtained by stereolithography-based 3D printing. Once printed, the stamp can be used to pick up and deposit small droplets of hydrogels containing cells onto a surface. Multiple cell types can be patterned onto the same surface using different stamps to generate cell co-cultures. After patterning, the hydrogels are cross-linked into place to perform the co-culture experiment.

In this session, presentations will be given by participants who will show how Nano/Microtechnology can be applied to their research area. This session is a highlight of the course as it helps participants to relate what they just learned to their work, and at the same time providing a snapshot of the breadth of micro and nanotechnologies. There will also be an opportunity to participate in a process design challenge and compete for the best presentation award this year! To conclude the day, past year participants will be invited back to talk about their current research using the tools and techniques they learned through this workshop.