BioMEMS Technology for Healthcare
ABSTRACT
What happens when silicon chips stop being passive structures and start acting on biology? This talk explores the evolution of BioMEMS technologies for healthcare, from passive micro- and nanostructured silicon devices that organize, isolate, and analyze biological samples, to intelligent diagnostic platforms capable of sensing, manipulating, and controlling biological processes in real time.
The first part focuses on passive BioMEMS architectures for sample processing and molecular analysis.
Examples include microcavity-array workflow engines containing nearly 90,000 microwells for automated multistep single-cell processing from whole blood, achieving cell recoveries above 95% and enabling high-efficiency circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis.
Nanofluidic MEMS devices with funnel-shaped nanochannel inlets fabricated by grayscale lithography demonstrate reliable linearization of individual DNA molecules for optical DNA mapping and cancer-related genomic investigations.
Silicon PCR-array chips with up to 250 nanoliter-scale reaction cavities enable rapid multiplex genetic testing with real-time qPCR readout, near single-copy sensitivity, low cross-talk, and turnaround times below 15 minutes.
Building on these platforms, the presentation further illustrates how liquid-biopsy workflows can be extended from rare-cell detection to integrated single-cell RT-qPCR and whole-genome amplification, enabling combined phenotypic and genetic characterization of individual tumor cells.
The second part introduces active BioMEMS technologies that transform silicon chips from analytical substrates into systems capable of interacting with and controlling biological environments.
Examples include smart lab-on-chip cartridges that integrate MEMS sensors, electronics, and wireless NFC communication through laser-bonded, leak-tight packaging concepts capable of withstanding pressures up to 8 bar.
Electrochemically controlled immunoassay platforms demonstrate localized pH modulation on 20 µm spots with closed-loop feedback control, achieving pH transition rates of up to 2 pH units per second and enabling e.g. single-step ELISA workflows with analytical performance comparable to conventional multistep assays.
Finally, dielectrophoresis (DEP)-enabled microwell arrays illustrate how non-uniform electric fields can be used for contactless single-cell trapping, manipulation, selective release, and isolation, providing a scalable route toward downstream genomic analysis of rare and heterogeneous cell populations.
The key message is that future BioMEMS devices will not merely process biological samples – they will actively orchestrate biological workflows on-chip, enabling simpler operation, richer biological insight, greater automation, and more scalable healthcare solutions.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Jochen Hoffmann is Chief Expert for Microfluidic and Biological Systems at Bosch Research, where he drives healthcare innovation at the interface of technology, diagnostics, and application. His work focuses on BioMEMS technologies, microfluidics, lab-on-chip systems, and molecular diagnostics, including the integration of passive and active silicon chips into diagnostic platforms.
Before assuming his current expert role in 2024, he spent several years as a research engineer contributing to the development of the Bosch Vivalytic system and other next-generation solutions for near-patient diagnostics. He also leads interdisciplinary healthcare innovation projects, translating technological concepts into executable development roadmaps and application-oriented systems.
Dr. Hoffmann studied Microsystems Engineering at the University of Freiburg, where he also earned his doctorate for research on the fabrication of DNA microarrays using digital solid-phase PCR. He is an inventor on more than 80 patent applications and author or co-author of 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Since 2026, he has also taught “Microfluidic Systems for Point-of-Care Diagnostics” at Pforzheim University. At MSTC, he will present Bosch’s BioMEMS approach to healthcare diagnostics, highlighting the integration of passive and active silicon chips into innovative diagnostic systems.