Inkjet Printing on Photonic Crystals for Biostructuring and Whole-Cell Sensing

A new approach based on inkjet printing of biomolecules will be used to structure surfaces and use them for live-cell immobilisation for use in sensor development. The key fabrication tool will be recently developed inkjet printer capable of high resolution printing. Biosensors will be designed employing silicon photonic crystals and optical cavities designed in collaboration with University of York. Both cell friendly hydrogels and whole cells will be immobilised onto photonic crystals to assess the cell viability and sensing capabilities of the system. The project is highly interdisciplinary and involves chemical modification of surface and understanding of printing principles and photonic crystals, as well as some biochemistry for biosensor design.