Current Synthetic and Systems Biology
Open Access
ISSN: 2332-0737
+44-77-2385-9429
ISSN: 2332-0737
+44-77-2385-9429
Hector Hugo Caicedo, Scott T Brady, Tong-Yuan Yang, Julio Cesar Caicedo and Sriram Natarajan
Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, USA
University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
Universidad del Valle, Colombia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Curr Synthetic Sys Biol
Microfluidics has the potential to influence all subject areas of biotechnology from agricultural and environmental to medical and pharmaceutical biotechnology. Even though translational microfluidics science and technology are still at an early stage of development, the pharmaceutical biotech industry may represent the best sector for microfluidics to thrive. With the advent of single-cell analysis, immunotherapy, genetic engineering, micro-scale immunoassays, precision medicine and disease interception; innovative lab-on-a-chip solutions are shaping biotechnology research in ways that are not possible using traditional methods. These solutions enable scientists to shed light on the mechanisms that regulate a myriad of highly intricate biological processes, in both normal and disease states. Here, we highlight some microfluidics-based science and technology that we have developed to enable cutting edge biomedical research, including microfluidics-based real-time tracking of neuronal protein in isolated axons, SAW technology and method development to support pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics studies. We also challenge the current paradigm that is focused on searching for a â??killer applicationâ? as a response for the poor adoption and commercialization of microfluidics technology beyond academic engineering laboratories. Based on our own scientific experience, both in academic and industry laboratories, we provide several reasons that might explain the poor adoption of microfluidics in mainstream biomedical research and the biotech industry. Additionally, we suggest prospects for future directions that could help address some of the present challenges. The aim is enhanced translational microfluidics research that tackles real-world applications in the life sciences and pharmaceutical biotech industry to help develop innovative biotherapeutics for human healthcare.
Hector Hugo Caicedo holds PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is the recipient of MIT, Bogazicy University, Antalya University and Universite Pierre and Marie Cuire Pre-doctoral Fellowships as well as Harvard-MIT/HST Post-doctoral Fellowship. He has several publications including several peer-reviewed papers, one book chapter and a provisional patent application. Additionally, he has been awarded more than 20 recognition awards including three National Science Foundation Fellowships in the US and the Mayor’s Civic Merit Medal of Cali given directly by the President of Colombia. Currently, he is a Scientist and Scholar at Janssen R&D, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. His interdisciplinary scientific research interests range from material science and bioengineering to cell biology, medicine and pharmaceutical research. At J&J, he is a Subject Matter Expert in Microfluidics Science & Technology and conducts research on drug lead identification, characterization and optimization. Additionally, he is also a Scholar Trainee at the Corporate Sustainability and Innovation program at Harvard University and serves as the Director of Research and Outreach at the US National Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Association.
Email: hcaicedo@its.jnj.com