Jennifer Talbert  
Hillsboro High School
Biology and Honors Biology Teacher

August 3, 2004

This summer I worked for Dr. John Wikswo.  Currently his research focuses on the study of the singular cell.  The students in his labs are using soft lithography techniques to fabricate microfluidic devices.  These devices are used in a variety of ways to study different aspects of single cells.  I worked with Joyce Maddox from Middle College High School under the direct supervision of David Schaffer, a Project Engineer in the Biomedical Engineering Department. 

David taught us the basic knowledge needed to fabricate microfluidic devices. 

The purpose of our experiment was to construct a working device and to hold a Protozoa Velocity Competition.  It took us seven days to actually make a device that actually bonded to a microscope slide and held protozoa.  The first round of devices needed larger wells to hold the protozoa, so it was back to the drawing board for us.  Our second sets of devices were much easier to make.  We had perfected our techniques and felt fairly confident with our finished products.  Wei Wang studies protozoa full time at Vanderbilt and generously donated her time and critters to our race.  We were successful at having the protozoa enter the tiny channels on the device and complete the race! 

On our last day we had a presentation for all of the clean room lab users in which we presented our Protozoa Velocity Competition to others and listened to their projects.  I would say I felt the most successful just listening to their presentations and understanding what they were doing.  On the first day in the lab I did not have a clue what a microfluidic device even was, and to see how much I learned during the four weeks was amazing!  It reenergized me for the coming school year!

      I am planning on implementing the new techniques I learned this summer with my students.  I have written a grant from the Toshiba American Foundation requesting the materials needed to make the devices.  My grand challenge question will involve the possibility of a bioterrorist attack on the water systems of Tennessee by the use of protozoa.  The students will investigate different species of protozoa, the effect protozoa have on human populations, and the velocity of protozoa in the water.  Students will design their own microfluidic devices and we will hold a velocity “competition” between the classes.  I’m anticipating the students will feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction by answering the grand challenge question.  I also think that they will be excited to learn required material in a new and interesting way!