Microfluidics Revealed

Why did it take so long for microfluidics to become an integral part of life science and diagnostic product development? Is it because the on market size and timing is so difficult? Or because of a disconnect between academic research and industrial need?

These are among the many questions that arise when pondering the challenges in the commercialization of microfluidics. And on Wednesday, May 30 from 6 to 9 p.m., the Bay Area Microfluidics Network (BAM) and the Bioengineering Association of Students (BEAST) will delve into these questions and more during “Challenges in the Commercialization of Microfluidics,” an evening of talks, networking and a free buffet dinner in the Genentech Hall 1st Floor Atrium at Mission Bay.

Among the keynote speakers is Dr. Adam Abate UCSF assistant professor in the department of bioengineering and therapeutic sciences. After earning a Ph.D. studying the physics of soft material, Abate returned to Harvard for a postdoc and developed a droplet-based microfluidic sequencer that became the foundation for the sequencing company GnuBIO before entering UCSF.

The second keynote speaker, Dr. Phil Spuhler, leads the microfluidic team at BD Genomics in the development of fluidic tools for the genotyping of large single cell population. There he developed the consumables and fluidics for Rhapsody, Cellular Research’s high throughput since cell genotyping platform. Previously, he served as lead engineer in the development and commercialization of a microfluidic platform for negative enrichment of circulating tumor cells from whole blood.

And a third keynote speaker, Dr. Barney Saunders, is CEO of Purigen Biosystems, a startup based in Pleasonton.

To register for “Challenges in the Commercialization of Microfluidics” event, RSVP here on Eventbrite. Additional details can be found on BAM's website, bayareamicrofluidicsnetwork.org.