Matthias Löhr

This interdisciplinary programme is aiming at development of beyond the state of the microfluidics for exosome-based cancer diagnostics.  Exosomes are secreted from different forms and stages of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, may reveal markers for diagnosis, prognosis and assist stage-specific intervention. This includes a better diagnosis paving the way to personalized therapy. However, the isolation and characterization of exosomes presents unique challenges due to their exceptionally small size. The project aims to build new physical understanding of the dynamics of different types of nanosized bioparticles in inertial and elasto-inertial microfluidics, including exosomes. We will study flows through straight and curved channels, including experimentally and numerically investigation of nanoparticle dynamics, including size and shape as a parameter for nanoparticle focusing and separation. Collectively, we will extend the inertial and elasto-inertial microfluidics toolbox beyond state of the art both theoretically and experimentally and apply it clinically for cancer diagnostics. We expect our methodology and the outcome of our studies to have significant implications for cancer diagnosis in general, and to provide a reliable tool for monitoring of therapy response, in the end improving the opportunities for personalized therapy.

It is well known that early diagnosis dramatically increases survival rates of cancers. The merging of advanced diagnostics with therapeutics (theranostics) is poised to reshape future cancer care. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related death in the western world with a 5-year survival rate much below 10%. This interdisciplinary programme aims to develop beyond the state-of-the-art theranostic fiber optic technology for pancreatic cancer. Our vision is to take the next step of functionalization of optical fibers, creating a palette of novel components and methods beyond state-of-the-art. On one hand, we take minimal invasiveness of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) based cytology to the next level by developing a complete “in-vivo cell picking platform” capable of selectively retrieving cells of interest for in-vitro single cell based omics. In parallel, based on the highly predictive flow characteristics in microfluidics we will develop systems for in-vivo high dose local chemo-therapy,currently impossible due to toxicity to other cells. Finally, fibers will be developed for advanced imaging and phototherapy applications. We direct our work to pancreatic cancer, but the nature of the platform will not preclude translation to other disease theranostics. Our synergies will strengthen research that is not possible without this interdisciplinary team.