Welcome to Chronis Group BioMEMS for Life Science

Bio-MEMS · Microfluidics · Biosensors · Lab-on-a-Chip

We develop Micro/Nano ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS/NEMS) to address fundamental questions in neuroscience and clinical needs in medicine — from worm-on-chip platforms for studying neuronal aging to implantable biosensors and point-of-care diagnostics.

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About the Laboratory

The Bio-Microsystems Laboratory leverages MEMS technology, microfluidics, lab-on-chip platforms, biosensors, and wearables to develop integrated solutions at the intersection of engineering and life sciences. Our research focuses on advancing MEMS-based microsystems to address pressing challenges in human health—from eliminating environmental pollutants and combating pathogen transmission to advancing neurotherapeutics and mental health monitoring. By focusing on real societal needs, we are committed to translating our research into tangible products that improve human health and well-being.

87 Publications

12 Awards

23 Team Members

34 Projects

Research Areas

Smart Antimicrobial Surfaces for Public Health

Self-disinfecting microsurfaces that actively eliminate pathogens in public spaces

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Implantable Microsystems for Brain Cancer Therapy

Smart microdevices for localized, real-time treatment and monitoring of brain tumors.

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Wearables for Mental Wellness

Non-invasive sensor systems to track physiological markers and support emotional wellbeing.

Microfluidics for Microplastic Remediation

Lab-on-a-chip technologies to capture and break down microplastic pollutants from water sources

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Publications

2024 "The Worm Immobilization Plate (WIP): A novel tool for fast and reversible immobilization of C. elegans populations on an agar substrate," A.R. Chaudhury, D. Bazopoulou, N. Chronis, Lab on a Chip.
2023 "A heat-activated antimicrobial microfilm for eliminating pathogen transmission in high touch surfaces," D. Barmpakos, S. Kritikou, A. Tsakris, G. Vrioni, N. Chronis, 27th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems (µTAS), Katowice, Poland. Link
2022 "Emerging biotechnologies for evaluating disruption of stress, sleep, and circadian rhythm mechanism using aptamer-based detection of salivary biomarkers," M. Pundir, S. Papagerakis, M. De Rosa, N. Chronis, K. Kurabayashi, S. Abdulmawjood, M. Prince, L. Lobanova, X. Chen, P. Papagerakis, Biotechnology Advances, Vol. 59, 107961. DOI
2020 "A 3D-printed, touch-activated, sanitizer dispensing device for reducing healthcare-acquired infections," A.R. Chaudhury, G. Korompili, M. Mitra, N. Chronis, Journal of 3D Printing in Medicine, Vol. 4, No. 2. DOI
2020 "An optoelectronic chip with integrated epi-illumination source and collection optics for imaging applications," G. Korompili, K. Missiakos, N. Chronis, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Vol. 312. DOI
2020 "Monitoring acute subdural hematoma in real-time with near infrared diffuse optical tomography: a feasibility study," L. Ni, X. Wang, N. Chronis, G. Xu, SPIE Photonics West, San Francisco, USA.
2018 "A portable, optical scanning microsystem for large field of view, high resolution imaging of biological specimens," G. Korompili, G. Kanakaris, C. Ampatis, N. Chronis, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Vol. 279, pp. 367-375. DOI
2017 "An automated compound screening for anti-aging effects on the function of C. elegans sensory neurons," D. Bazopoulou, A.R. Chaudhury, A. Pantazis, N. Chronis, Scientific Reports, 7, Article 9403. DOI
2017 "On chip cryo-anesthesia of Drosophila larvae for high resolution in vivo imaging applications," A. Chaudhury, R. Insolera, R.D. Hwang, Y.W. Fridell, C. Collins, N. Chronis, Lab on a Chip, Vol. 17, Issue 13, pp. 2303-2322. DOI
2017 "A Portable, Optical Scanning System for Large Field of View, High Resolution Imaging of Biological Specimens," G. Korompili, G. Kanakaris, C. Ampatis, N. Chronis, Eurosensors 2017 Conference, Paris, France.
2016 "Chemically induced oxidative stress affects ASH neuronal function and behavior in C. elegans," E. Gourgou, N. Chronis, Scientific Reports, 6, Article 38147. DOI
2016 "An Image Contrast-Based Pressure Sensor," A. Chaudhury, A.K. Pantazis, N. Chronis, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Vol. 245, pp. 63-67. DOI
2015 "Circuit mechanisms encoding odors and driving aging-associated behavioral declines in Caenorhabditis elegans," S.G. Leinwand, C.J. Yang, D. Bazopoulou, N. Chronis, J. Srinivasan, S.H. Chalasani, eLife, 4, e10181. DOI
2015 "Computer aided detection of surgical retained foreign object for prevention," L. Hadjiiski, T.C. Marentis, A.R. Chaudhury, L. Rondon, N. Chronis, H.P. Chan, Medical Physics, 42, 1213. DOI
2015 "Monolithic Silicon Optical Microchips for Broad-Band Mach-Zehnder Interferometry and Highly Sensitive Label Free Immunosensing," K. Misiakos, I. Raptis, A. Salapatas, M. Anastasopoulou, A. Malainou, N. Chronis, G. Jobst, Bio-MEMS and Medical Microdevices II Conference, Barcelona, Spain, Vol. 9518. DOI
2014 "An Optofluidic Lens Array Microchip for High Resolution Stereo Microscopy," M.N. Gulari, A. Tripathi, M. Ghannad-Rezaie, N. Chronis, Micromachines, 5(3), pp. 607-621. DOI
2014 "An interferometric integrated microsystem for the label free detection of interleukins," M. Anastasopoulou, A. Malainou, A. Salapatas, N. Chronis, S. Papagerakis, G. Jobst, I. Raptis, K. Misiakos, 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems (µTAS), San Antonio, USA.
2014 "Platform for In-Vitro Photo-Patterning of Whole Animal C. Elegans Assays and Behavior Control," C.R. Oliver, E. Gourgou, D. Bazopoulou, N. Chronis, A.J. Hart, 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems (MicroTAS), San Antonio, TX, pp. 2558-2559.
2014 "An optofluidic chip for studying mechanical deformation of cells," A.K. Pantazis, S. Papagerakis, P. Papagerakis, N. Chronis, 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems (µTAS), San Antonio, USA.
2014 "Surgical Retained Foreign Object (RFO) Prevention by Computer Aided Detection (CAD)," T.C. Marentis, L. Hadjiiski, A.R. Chaudhury, L. Rondon, N. Chronis, H.P. Chan, SPIE Conference on Medical Imaging - Computer-Aided Diagnosis, San Diego, USA.
2014 "An X-Ray Detectable Pressure Microsensor for Monitoring Coronary In-stent Restenosis," M.N. Gulari, M. Ghannad-Rezaie, P. Novelli, N. Chronis, T.C. Marentis, IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), San Francisco, CA, pp. 893-896.
2013 "A Biochip with a 3D microfluidic architecture for trapping white blood cells," A. Tripathi, J. Riddell, N. Chronis, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Vol. 186, pp. 244-251. DOI
2013 "A Compact, Optofluidic System For Measuring Red Blood Cell Concentration," M.N. Gulari, M. Ghannad-Rezaie, N. Chronis, IEEE International Conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators (Transducers), Barcelona, Spain, pp. 2552-2555.
2013 "A Powerless Optical Microsensor For Monitoring Intraocular Pressure In Keratoprosthetic Implants," M. Ghannad-Rezaie, M.N. Gulari, R.D.M. Franco, M. Shahzad, N. Chronis, IEEE International Conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators (Transducers), Barcelona, Spain.
2012 "Microfluidic chips for in vivo imaging of cellular responses to neural injury in Drosophila larvae," M. Ghannad-Rezaie, X. Wang, B. Mishra, C. Collins, N. Chronis, PLoS ONE, 7(1), e29869. DOI
2012 "A Near Infrared Opto-mechanical Intracranial Pressure Microsensor," M. Ghannad-Rezaie, L. Yang, H. Garton, N. Chronis, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems (JMEMS), Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 23-33. DOI
2012 "A Powerless, Fabry-Perot Laser-based Pressure Microsensor," M. Ghannad-Rezaie, M.N. Gulari, N. Chronis, IEEE-EMBS Micro- and Nanoengineering in Medicine Conference, Ka'anapali, HI.
2012 "Microfluidic-Based Oil Immersion Lens for High Resolution Microscopy," M.N. Gulari, A. Tripathi, N. Chronis, 16th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems (µTAS), Okinawa, Japan, pp. 49-51.
2012 "Microfabricated instrument tag for the radiographic detection of retained foreign bodies during surgery," A. Tripathi, T.C. Marentis, N. Chronis, Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 8313, pp. 83134H.
2011 "A doublet microlens array for imaging micron-sized objects," A. Tripathi, N. Chronis, Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, Vol. 21, No. 10. DOI
2011 "Probing the physiology of ASH neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans using Electric Current Stimulation," T.V. Chokshi, D. Bazopoulou, N. Chronis, Applied Physics Letters, 99, 053702. DOI
2011 "A microfluidic chip for immobilizing and in vivo imaging of Drosophila larva," M. Ghannad-Rezaie, B. Mishra, C. Collins, N. Chronis, 15th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems (µTAS).
2011 "A doublet microlens array for imaging of biological micron-size objects," A. Tripathi, N. Chronis, 15th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems (µTAS).
2011 "An automated microfluidic platform for electrical stimulation of the nervous system of C. elegans," T.V. Chokshi, D. Bazopoulou, N. Chronis, 15th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems (µTAS).
2011 "A white blood cell capturing biochip using a 3D trapping architecture," A. Tripathi, N. Chronis, ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference.
2010 "An automated microfluidic platform for calcium imaging of chemosensory neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans," T.V. Chokshi, D. Bazopoulou, N. Chronis, Lab on a Chip, Vol. 10(20), pp. 2758-2763. DOI
2010 "Worm Chips: Microtools for C. elegans Biology," N. Chronis, Lab on a Chip, Vol. 10, pp. 432-437. DOI
2009 "Neurons Detect Increases and Decreases in Oxygen Levels Using Distinct Guanylate Cyclases," M. Zimmer, J.M. Gray, N. Pokala, A.J. Chang, D.S. Karow, M.A. Marletta, M.L. Hudson, D.B. Morton, N. Chronis, C.I. Bargmann, Neuron, Vol. 61, Issue 6, pp. 865-879. DOI
2009 "Microfluidics for the analysis of behavior, nerve regeneration, and neural cell biology in C. elegans," A. Ben-Yakar, N. Chronis, H. Lu, Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Vol. 19(5), pp. 561-567. DOI
2009 "A high numerical aperture, polymer-based, planar microlens array," A. Tripathi, T.V. Chokshi, N. Chronis, Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 22, pp. 19908-19918. DOI
2009 "CO2 and Compressive Immobilization of C. elegans on-chip," T.V. Chokshi, A. Ben-Yakar, N. Chronis, Lab on a Chip, Vol. 9, pp. 151-157. DOI
2008 "Artificial dirt: Microfluidic substrates for nematode neurobiology and behavior," S. Lockery, K. Lawton, J.C. Doll, S. Faumont, S. Coulthard, T. Thiele, N. Chronis, K. McCormick, M.B. Goodman, B.L. Pruitt, Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol. 99, pp. 3136-3143. DOI
2008 "Femtosecond laser nanoaxotomy lab-on-a-chip for in vivo nerve regeneration studies," S.X. Guo, F. Bourgeois, T. Chokshi, N.J. Durr, M.A. Hilliard, N. Chronis, A. Ben-Yakar, Nature Methods, Vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 531-533. DOI
2008 "Worm-on-chip technology for studying aging of the nervous system in C. elegans," A. Tripathi, T.V. Chokshi, N. Chronis, 12th International Conference on Micro Total Analysis Systems (µTAS), San Diego, USA, pp. 1033-1035.
2008 "An opto-fluidic sensor for monitoring intracranial pressure," S. Kodandaramaiah, N. Chronis, 12th International Conference on Micro Total Analysis Systems (µTAS), San Diego, USA, pp. 1749-1751.
2007 "Dissecting a neural circuit for food-seeking behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans," S. Chalasani, N. Chronis, M. Tsunozaki, J. Gray, M. Goodman, C. Bargmann, Nature, Vol. 450, pp. 63-70. DOI
2007 "Microfluidics for in vivo imaging of neuronal and behavioral activity in Caenorhabditis elegans," N. Chronis, M. Zimmer, C.I. Bargmann, Nature Methods, Vol. 4, No. 9, pp. 727-731. DOI
2006 "A Distributed Chemosensory Circuit for Oxygen Preference in C. elegans," A.J. Chang, N. Chronis, D.S. Karow, M.A. Marletta, C.I. Bargmann, PLoS Biology, Vol. 4, No. 9. DOI
2005 "Electrothermally activated SU-8 Microgripper for Single Cell Manipulation," N. Chronis, L.P. Lee, Journal of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (JMEMS), Vol. 14, Issue 4, pp. 857-863. DOI
2004 "Tunable Microdoublet Lens Array," K.H. Jeong, G.L. Liu, N. Chronis, L.P. Lee, Optics Express, Vol. 12, pp. 2494-2500. DOI
2004 "Total-Internal Reflection based-Biochip utilizing a polymer-filled cavity with a micromirror sidewall," N. Chronis, L.P. Lee, Lab on a Chip, Vol. 4, pp. 125-130. DOI
2004 "A polymer-based microrobotic workstation for single cell manipulation," N. Chronis, L.P. Lee, 8th International Conference on Micro Total Analysis Systems (µTAS), Malmö, Sweden, pp. 407-409.
2004 "Polymer MEMS-Based Microgripper for Single Cell Manipulation," N. Chronis, L.P. Lee, 17th IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Maastricht, pp. 17-20.
2004 "Tunable Microdoublet Lens Array," K.H. Jeong, G.L. Liu, N. Chronis, L.P. Lee, 17th IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Maastricht, pp. 37-40.
2003 "Tunable liquid-filled microlens array integrated with microfluidic network," N. Chronis, G.L. Liu, K.H. Jeong, L.P. Lee, Optics Express, Vol. 11, pp. 2370-2378. DOI
2003 "Total Internal Reflection-based Biochip for High Throughput Bioassays," N. Chronis, L.P. Lee, 7th International Conference on Micro Total Analysis Systems (µTAS), Squaw Valley, CA, pp. 1323-1326.
2002 "Polymer-based Actuators Integrated Into Microfluidic Systems," N. Chronis, L.P. Lee, 6th International Conference on Micro Total Analysis Systems (µTAS), Nara, Japan, pp. 754-757.
2023 "A self-sterilizing, thermally activated surface/film for the rapid killing of pathogens," N. Chronis, WO2023161665A1 — University of Crete (SARF UOC).
2021 "Multi-enclosure specimen collector and therapeutic agent dispensing systems and devices," N. Chronis, WO2021096769A1 — University of Michigan.
2019 "Liquid activated devices and systems," N. Chronis, WO2019165078A1 — University of Michigan.
2019 "Retained object tag and detection method," N. Chronis, US10357183B2 — University of Michigan.
2016 "Compact lens system and array," N. Chronis, US9304280B2 — University of Michigan.
2014 "Optical microsensor and methods for monitoring intracranial pressure," N. Chronis, US8858459B2 — University of Michigan.

Collaborations

University of Michigan

Dept. of Neurosurgery & Kellogg Eye Center

Prof. Lynda Yang, Prof. Hugh Garton and Prof. Shahzad Mian — implantable ICP and IOP biosensors

Rockefeller University

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Prof. Cornelia Bargmann — neural circuit dissection and in vivo neuronal imaging in C. elegans

University of Texas at Austin

Biomedical Engineering

Prof. Adela Ben-Yakar — femtosecond laser nano-surgery for axon regeneration studies

UC Berkeley

Bioengineering

Prof. Luke Lee — Bio-MEMS microgripper design and optofluidic biochip development

Our Team

Professor Nikos Chronis

Director

BioMEMS, Microfluidics & Biosensors

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Postdoctoral Researchers

Dr. Dimitris Barmpakos

Postdoctoral Researcher

Flexible & Printed Electronics

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Dr. Manos Papazoglou

Postdoctoral Researcher

Additive Manufacturing & Non conventional Manufacturing Processes

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Dr. Gerasimos Kanellos

Postdoctoral Researcher

Waste Valorization & Biogas Upgrading

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Graduate Students

Dimitris Evangelakos

Ph.D. Candidate

Implantable Smart Microcatheter Systems

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Iakovos - Fanourios Kritikos

Graduate Student

Anastasios Kamenidis

Graduate Student

kamenidisanastasios@mail.ntua.gr

Vasileios Kontogiannopoulos

Graduate Student

kontogiannopoulosvasileios@mail.ntua.gr

Research Projects

Current and completed research initiatives funded by national and international organizations

2024-2028 SafeTouch — Self-decontaminating smart microfilms (iSafeTouch) using thermal microheating and intelligent sensing for eliminating pathogens on high-touch surfaces. Funding: EU Horizon Europe
2017-2020 Intra-oral Melatonin Device — Intra-oral device to measure melatonin saliva hourly levels in patients with sleep disorders. Funding: National Institute of Health (USA)
2017-2019 Self-sterilizing Artificial Skin — A human-powered, self-sterilizing artificial skin for antimicrobial applications. Funding: Bodosaki Foundation
2017-2019 Lab-on-Chip Blood Cell Counter — A lab-on-chip platform for blood cell counting and identification at the point-of-care. Funding: ERC Proof of Concept (EU)
2012-2015 ERC Starting Grant — Blood Cell Platform — Lab-on-chip platform for blood cell counting and identification, funded by the prestigious ERC Starting Grant. Funding: ERC Starting Grant (EU)
2010-2012 NiFO Intraocular Pressure Sensor — A Near Infrared Fluorescent-based Optomechanical (NiFO) MEMS sensor for accurate, home-based intraocular pressure monitoring in glaucoma patients. Funding: National Institute of Health / NEI (USA)
2009-2014 National Institute of Health Director's New Innovator Award — Combining calcium imaging with microfluidics to quantify how neuronal functionality in C. elegans is altered with age. Funding: National Institute of Health / Office of Director (USA)
2008-2012 Intracranial Pressure Micro Stick (IPmS) — A fully implantable, cable-free optical MEMS device that color-codes intracranial pressure changes using near infrared wavelength. Funding: National Institute of Health / NINDS (USA)
2008-2011 HIV/AIDS Point-of-Care Diagnostics — Portable, inexpensive, battery-operated MEMS-based imaging system for counting CD4 cells from a microliter of blood. Funding: National Institute of Health (USA)