This work has been undertaken as an Individual Research Project as the major element of a structured PhD that was recently completed by the lead author at University College Dublin. The doctoral project was one of a set of 12 within a Marie Curie (MSCA) Innovative Training Network (ITN) [1] funded by the EU’s Horizon-2020 programme, which involved close collaboration between five universities and 8 industry partners based throughout Europe. The doctoral thesis was a conventional style thesis, done over 3 years of intensive research, focussed on developing novel polymer surfaces that could be used in a point-of-care microfluidic diagnostic chip for kidney transplant patients.

The high-level objectives involved:
(i) designing a microfluidic in-vitro diagnostic device,
(ii) developing a microfluidic nucleic acid extraction system and establishing the commercial feasibility of extraction membranes,
(iii) developing superhydrophilic partitioned microwells, and
(iv) integrating the various components into a one-pot microfluidic system.

At the time of writing, this project has led to 4 peer-reviewed journal articles and one UK patent.

In the early stages of the structured training taken by the first author, similar to that of the other ITN students, 22 ECTS worth of credits were obtained for technical and transferrable-skills modules. All network partners were involved in either delivering or designing these modules, which were delivered in short intensive Winter/Summer Schools of 1-2 weeks duration at different consortium locations (Ireland, Denmark, Netherlands and Switzerland). This format was conducive to accelerating students’ learning, enhancing their individual projects, and to establishing a strong and supportive peer network. Furthermore, the first author undertook two secondments, one to industry (MiNAN Technologies, a microfluidic devices manufacturer in Ireland), and a second to a different university in another country (FHNW, Switzerland), both of which served to enhance their broader understanding of the context and value of their research. The publications and patent from this research are likely to enhance the technology transfer to industry, the commercialisation of doctoral research to the benefit of Europe’s medical devices industry, and the subsequent career progression prospects of the PhD students, consistent with other ITN projects2.

The lead author’s secondment to FHNW provided her with direct access to processing and characterisation facilities that were not easily available at her host institutions. In particular, being able to undertake an experimental study into the feasibility of using ultrasonic welding to bond polymer microfluidic chips proved to be particularly beneficial. While it transpired that the technology offered excellent potential for high-quality precision bonding of both COC and PMMA materials, it was apparent that ultrasonic waveguides and a sonotrode horn would need to be designed for specific chips. Subsequent work is looking to implement this in the context of a postdoctoral project, which is aiming to obtain national funding to commercialise elements of the microfluidic diagnostic chip.

References:
[1] www.simppermeddev.eu
[2] Bitsion, Martone, Ricci & Arfi, The innovative dimension of the research training programmes under H2020-MSCA-ITN: A methodological approach to track, measure and analyse innovative aspects and provide policy-feedback conclusions. F1000Research, 2023, 12:1020.

Keywords: PhD training, structured PhD, innovative training network (ITN).