Bergveldlecture by prof. Dave Weitz: “Droplet microfluidics for ultra-high throughput screening and super-sensitive detection“ November 9th, 11 AM, Waaier 3

Biography Dave Weitz:

Weitz received his PhD in physics from Harvard University and then joined Exxon Research and Engineering Company, where he worked for nearly 18 years. He then became a professor of physics at the University of Pennsylvania and moved to Harvard at the end of the last millennium as professor of physics and applied physics. He leads a group studying soft matter science with a focus on materials science, biophysics, microfluidics, and flow in porous media. Several startup companies have come from his lab to commercialize research concepts.

Abstract:

Droplet microfluidics for ultra-high throughput screening and super-sensitive detection

This talk will describe recent advances of droplet microfluidics for biotechnology applications.  These will include very high sensitivity detection of biomolecules, including nucleic acids and proteins. This talk will describe new uses of droplet microfluidics for very high sensitivity detection of biomolecules, including nucleic acids and proteins.  In addition, it will discuss new methods to explore the fitness landscape of evolving enzymes and thee utility of these methods in improving the performance of the enzymes through directed evolution.

Bergveldlecture:

Every year the BIOS/Lab on a Chip group of Twente University invites a guest speaker for the Bergveld lecture. The Bergveld lecture was instituted in honor of prof. Piet Bergveld, the inventor of the Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor, and previous, now retired chair of the group. The speaker is chosen by members of the BIOS group through nomination and election.