October 23rd, 2019: Thomas H. Linz – High Sensitivity Microfluidic Measurements of Biomolecules
Thomas H. Linz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Wayne State University
Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019
6:00 pm – Light Refreshments
6:30 pm – Talk
Dutch-treat dinner after the meeting
University of Detroit Mercy
Chemistry Building, Room C114
4001 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48221
Abstract: Microfluidic analyses offer numerous benefits compared to traditional bioanalytical techniques. These miniaturized systems afford faster analysis times, require less sample volume, and can integrate sample preparation and analysis into a single platform. Our laboratory has capitalized on these benefits to develop high sensitivity analytical methods to measure biomolecules. One avenue of our research has sought to improve gel electrophoresis separations. Thermally reversible polymer gels were employed as a separation matrix because of their unique ability to tune analytical performance using temperature. Our strategy enabled analytes to be preconcentrated and separated within a single analysis simply by adjusting temperature. These benefits facilitate biological research that cannot be accomplished using traditional polyacrylamide gels. Another avenue of research in our lab has been the development of a high sensitivity microfluidic system to detect orthogonal biomolecules within a single analysis. A microwell array platform was integrated with PCR analysis to measure proteins, DNA, and RNA in parallel. Our ability to detect diverse biomolecules with single molecule sensitivity cannot be accomplished by any other means but is crucial to analyzing biological complexes implicated in disease pathogenesis.
Biography: Dr. Tom Linz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Wayne State University. Dr. Linz obtained his B.S. from Truman State University in 2007 and his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 2013. He then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until joining the faculty at Wayne State in 2016. The Linz Lab focuses on developing innovative microfluidic methods for improved bioanalytical measurements.
Directions: A campus map with parking and building locations is available here. You are welcome to join us and the speaker for a Dutch-treat dinner at a local restaurant after the meeting. The restaurant will be announced at the meeting.
This event is free and all are welcome to attend!
