Micro- and Nanoscale Bioengineering Lab

We are a diverse team  of research engineers and assistants, postdocs, and graduate and undergraduate students at NYUAD, dedicated to resolving complex bioengineering challenges through our state-of-the-art facilities, and unique amalgam of skillsets. Our current active research areas include liquid biopsy on microfluidic biochips and high throughput drug screening using whole model organisms such C. elegans.

Samples containing RNA and DNA lie at the heart of all biopsy techniques. Biosensors that can enhance the concentration of RNA and DNA in these samples, improving the detection sensitivity of these techniques, have the potential to revolutionize the field of diagnostics. Our previous and current research focuses on leveraging the electrokinetics of such microfluidic biosensors for the detection of circulating tumor DNA and exosomes for the enhancement of point-of-care diagnostics and translational research of cancer.

Caenorhabditis elegans worms are used as model organisms in medicinal and genetic research since they are the only multicellular organisms to have their entire connectome sequenced. Since 1963, these non-parasitic nematodes have been the subject of various studies, ranging from spaceflight research after they survived the Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster, nicotine dependence, ageing, muscle atrophy, memory and chemotaxis. Our lab strives to develop innovative mechanical techniques for the dispensing and study of these C. elegans worms for neuromuscular diseases and diabetes. .

Visit Our Website


Learn more about our research, team, and facilities.

Contact

Experimental Research Building (ERB)
C1-Lab 3
PO Box 129188
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Rafael Song
Primary Investigator
Email: rafael.song@nyu.edu
Phone: +971 2-628-4781