Microimprint techniques for manufacturing microstructures and diamond probe for atomic force microscope.

Novel micro- and nano-structuring techniques are proposed for manufacturing MEMS/NEMS devices by employing specific tools fabricated by MEMS technology. These include (1) a novel direct polymer-transfer lithography (DPTL) technique for high-throughput fine patterning, (2) a modified imprinting process using hollow microneedle array for forming through holes in polymers, (3) a diamond probe for an atomic force microscope (AFM) that offers strong advantages not only for standard topographical measurements and the characterization of localized surface properties but also for nanometer-scale lithography and nanostructure fabrication, and (4) a novel nanofabrication technique based on highly localized chemical catalysis by using a catalytically active AFM tip.

MEMS-based platform for in vitro manipulation and analysis of living cells for addressing fundamental questions in biological systems.

A thorough understanding of cellular functions is a prerequisite for realizing biological applications such as medical diagnostics, drug discovery, and tissue engineering. Therefore, I have been developing novel MEMS devices for massively parallel manipulation and analysis of single cells. These include (1) an array of out-of plane, hollow nanoneedles capable of introducing desired biomolecules (DNA, proteins, etc.) into living cells and extracting biomolecules expressed in the cells, (2) a micromanipulator array capable of massively parallel manipulation of single living cells for 2D/3D cell patterning, (3) a cell culture microdevice actuated by piezoelectric thin film for on-chip regulation of cell functions, and (4) non-damaging measurement system for monitoring cell-shape dynamics based on scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM).

Multi-functional biological scanning probe microscope.

With the aim of introducing novel atomic force microscope (AFM) applications to cellular function analysis, I have been developing a newly designed AFM probe (bioprobe): this enables intra- and extra-cellular delivery of biomolecules (DNA, proteins, etc.). Moreover, the bioprobe will provide other useful functions, such as scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) for non-damaging imaging of biological cells, and tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) spectroscopy for quantitatively study on dynamic processes inside living cells. Therefore, I can provide a method for correlation analysis of cellular functions with high spatial and temporal resolution.