Question

a)Please describe the following two emerging BioMEMS technologies: (i) Optogenetics; (ii) Organs on chip. You should give examples of devices and show how this is related to the field of BioMEMS?
b)What is the specific adsorption rate (SAR) and how is it measured?
c)What is the ISO10993 standard and what is its intended purpose?

Answer 1

Micro electro-mechnical system (MEMS) and micro fabrication technologies are expanding widely in the fields of biomedicine and engineering.MEMS when applied to the biological field is said to be BioMEMS.Such advance systems are is beneficial,micro volume of biological samples are used for the analysis and testing.Thus human intervention can be minimized and percentage of errors are reduced dramatically.

Optogenetics-It is a branch of biotechnology which is combination of genetic engineering and optical method.This noval method is applied to obtain the insight into various cell functions eg-Parkinson disease,epilepsy and depression.Light is used for start and stop the function of neuron in animal cells which helps to study brain function and its mechanisms.

Divided into Sensors(Monitor neural function ) and Effectors (Manipulate neural function).Using this technique the ion channel in the neural cells are activated by light thus illuminating the cells to control its activities.

Organ on Chip or Organ Chip-It is a computed micro chip which is manufactured to construct microfluid devices which can replicate the architecture and function of living organs like kidney,skin and bone marrow etc.These micro devices are called Organ on Chip.It is consisted of adaptable polymer which is computer memory sized with lines hollow micro fluid channels with human organ specific cells.Thus the physical micro environment of the living organ can be replicated.It facilitates in the development of clinical biomarkers,vaccine development and drug delivery.

Specific absorption rate is used to measure the rate of radio frequency energy absorbed by human body fro various sources,eg-cell phone. SAF tests can be performed to analyse the fluid in the human head and body which stimulates RF energy.For testing cell hone is placed at specific position to which radiation is exposed frequently like head.A Robotic prob measure the electric field at specific location of the body.