µFlow Cell

The µFlow Cell brings together four research teams of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel (EhB) in Belgium, with complementary expertise and infrastructure and a dedicated valorization manager, with the vision to become a world-leading research and innovation group in microfluidics.

“µFlow” refers to the microfluidics technologies of the team of Prof. De Malsche of the µFlow Group, which are at the core of this consortium. “Cell” refers to the medical applications as well as non-medical applications that are targeted. Medical applications rely on the team of Prof. Karine Hellemans of the Diabetes Pathology and Therapy (DIAB), while the expertise in biotech for non-medical applications is contributed by the teams of Prof. Eveline Peeters of the Research Group of Microbiology (MICR) and Dr. Tom Peeters of the Open BioLab Brussels.

The mission of µFlow Cell is to enable with microfluidics new processes and products that are more performant, have a lower environmental footprint, and can improve the health of all. 

µFlow-cell aspires cooperation with industry along three routes:

• Design and modelling of innovative microfluidic solutions within the core research lines of the consortium
• Fabrication of microfluidic devices and systems, from prototype to small industrial series
• Engineering and production of novel materials, from microparticles for drug delivery to mycelium-based materials to replace leather, in lab to small industrial quantities. 

The expertise of the MicroFlow Cell is focused on the following research lines: 

• Single IMage PArasite Quantification in stool (SIMPAQ)
• Engineering and production of microparticles
• Microdevices for advanced separations
• Biosensors
• Organ-on-chip
• Microbial cell factories
• Mycelium materials

Research is performed by a dedicated team of experts and technicians with access to microfluidics lab and workshop, cleanroom facilities equipped for advanced micro- and nanofabrication (core facility MICROLAB), microbiology lab (BSL-2), OpenBioLab Brussels, diabetes lab, animal testing (core facility ANIM).