Main Page

Year 2012

Journals

1. Y. Rondelez, Competition for catalytic resources alters biological networks dynamic. Phys. Rev. Let., in Press
   
2. B. Daunay, P. Lambert, L. Jalabert, M. Kumemura, R. Renaudot, V. Agache and H. Fujita, Effect of Substrate Wettability in Liquid Dielectrophoresis (LDEP) Based Droplets Generation: Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Confirmation, Lab Chip, 2012, 12, 361, DOI 10.1039/C1LC20625G.
   

Conferences

1. Y. Rondelez, FNANO2012 Snowbird, USA 16-19.04.2012
   
2. Ch. Pigot & A. Hibara, Microfluidic resonator, MEMS 2012 (Paris)
   
3. Ch. Pigot & A. Hibara, Toward chemical senssing on micro-sized interface s using a micro-fluidic resonator, IEEE-NEMS 2012 (Kyoto)
   

Year 2011

Journals

1. T. Nojima, S. Kaneda, H. Kimura, T. Yamamoto and T. Fujii, "Application of cell-free expression of GFP for evaluation of microsystems", Frontiers in Bioscience, Vol. 17, pp. 1931-1939, 2012, http://www.bioscience.org/2012/v17/af/4029/list.htm . DOI: 10.2741/4029
   
2. T. Fukuba, A. Miyaji, T. Okamoto, T. Yamamoto, S. Kaneda and T. Fujii, Integrated in situ genetic analyzer for microbiology in extreme environments, RSC Advances, 2011, Vol. 1, Issue 8, pp.1567-1573, http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2011/ra/c1ra00490e
   
3. Y. Kimura, S. Kaneda, T. Fujii and S. Murata, Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Photonic Crystal Using DNA, IEEJ Transactions on Sensors and Micromachines, Vol. 131 (2011) , No. 8 pp.286-291 (in Japanese), http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ieejsmas/131/8/131_286/_article
   
4. S. Kaneda, K. Ono, T. Fukuba, T. Nojima, T. Yamamoto and T. Fujii, Modification of the Glass Surface Property in PDMS-Glass Hybrid Microfluidic Devices, Analytical Sciences, Volume 28, Number 1, (2012) (in press, will be published on January 10, 2012)
   
5. J Park, S. Nishida, P. Lambert, H. Kawakatsu and H. Fujita. High-Resolution cantilever biosensor resonator at air-liquid in microchannel. Lab on a Chip in press (2011)
   
6. F. Evenou, S. Couderc, BJ. Kim, T. Fujii, Y. Sakai, "Microfibrillated Cellulose Sheets Coating Oxygen-Permeable PDMS Membranes Induce Rat Hepatocytes 3D Aggregation into Stably-Attached 3D Hemispheroids", Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, Volume 22, Number 11, 2011 , pp. 1509-1522(14).
   
7. N. Yamamoto, K. Komori, K. Montagne, H. Matsui, H. Nakayama, S. Takeuchi, Y. Sakai, "Cytotoxicity evaluation of reactive metabolites using rat liver homogenate microsome-encapsulated alginate gel microbeads", Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Volume 111, Issue 4, April 2011, Pages 454-458, ISSN 1389-1723, DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2010.12.004.
   
8. K. Montagne, H. Huang, K. Ohara, K. Matsumoto, A. Mizuno, K. Ohta and Y. Sakai, "Use of liposome encapsulated hemoglobin as an oxygen carrier for fetal and adult rat liver cell culture", Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, In Press, 2011, ISSN 1389-1723, DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2011.07.004.
   
9. R. Renaudot, V. Agache, B. Daunay, P. Lambert, M. Kumemura, Y. Fouillet, D. Collard and H. Fujita, "Optimization of Liquid DiElectroPhoresis (LDEP) Digital Microfluidic Transduction for Biomedical Applications", Micromachines 2011, 2(2), 258-273; doi:10.3390/mi2020258
   
10. P. Ginet, S. Akiyama, N. Takama, H. Fujita and BJ. Kim, "CMOS-compatible fabrication of top-gated field-effect transistor silicon nanowire-based biosensors", J. Micromech. Microeng. 21 065008 (2011), doi: 10.1088/0960-1317/21/6/065008
    
11. R. Kawano, T. Osaki, H. Sasaki, M. Takinoue, S. Yoshizawa, Shoji Takeuchi, "Rapid Detection of a Cocaine-Binding Aptamer Using Biological Nanopores on a Chip", Journal of the American Chemical Society 2011 133 (22), 8474-8477.
    
12. G. Tortissier, P. Ginet, B. Daunay, L. Jalabert ,P. Lambert, B. Kim, H. Fujita and H. Toshiyoshi, CF4 plasma treatment assisted inkjet printing for color pixel flexible display, J. Micromech. Microeng. 21 105021 (2011).
    
13. S. Kaneda, K. Ono, T. Fukuba, T. Nojima, T. Yamamoto and T. Fujii, A Rapid Method for Optimizing Running Temperature of Electrophoresis through Repetitive On-Chip CE Operations, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2011, 12(7), 4271-4281; doi:10.3390/ijms12074271; URL: [URL]
14. T. Sato, T. Ishida, L. Jalabert and H. Fujita, Development of MEMS-in-TEM Setup to Observe Shear Deformation for the Study of Nano-Scale Friction, Tribology Online, 6, 5 (2011) 226-229.
    
15. F. Evenou, M. Hamon, T. Fujii, S. Takeuchi, and Y. Sakai, Gas-permeable Membranes and Co-culture with Fibroblasts Enable High-density Hepatocyte Culture as Multilayered Liver Tissues, Accepted in Biotechnology Progress
    
16. I. Bisotto, E S Kannan, S Sassine, R Murali, T J Beck, L Jalabert and J-C Portal, Microwave based nanogenerator using the ratchet effect in Si/SiGe heterostructures, Nanotechnology 22 (2011) 245401.
    
17. M. Kumemura, D. Collard, N. Sakaki, C. Yamahata, M. Hosogi, G. Hashiguchi and H. Fujita, Single-DNA-molecule trapping with silicon nanotweezers using pulsed dielectrophoresis. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 21, 054020 (2011).
    
18. Y. Rondelez, Saturated degradation and global coupling. Submitted.
    
19. K. Montagne, R. Plasson, Y. Sakai, T. Fujii & Y. Rondelez, Programming an in vitro DNA oscillator using a molecular networking strategy Molecular System Biology 7:466 (2011)
    
20. Y. Rondelez, Breaking down complexity Physics, 4, 8 (2011) (invited paper no review)
    
21. R. Mahamdi, F. Mansour, H. Bouridah, P. Temple-Boyer, E. Scheid, L. Jalabert, "Nitrogen doped silicon films heavily boron implanted for MOS structures: Simulation and characterization", Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, In Press (2011).
    

Conferences

1. Y. Rondelez, In vitro dynamic networks, Annual Meeting on Cell Synthesis Research, Osaka, Japan, 27-28.10.2011
   
2. Y. Rondelez, 3rd workshop on Stochasticity in Biochemical Reaction Networks: In vitro minimal universal networks, Banff, Canada 11-16.09.2011
   
3. K. Montagne, A. Padirac, T. Fujii, Y. Rondelez, Annual meeting of Systems Information Division of SICE, Tokyo, 23.11.2011.
   
4. Ch. Pigot & A. Hibara, Toward improvment of spectral analysis of fluid/fluid interface on a Lab-on-chip, ICAS 2011 (Kyoto)-Young invited speaker
   
5. Ch. Pigot & A. Hibara, Modelisation of single beam heterodyne method dedicated to microfluidic systems, Asianalysis 2011 (Nanjin) Invited speaker
   
6. Ch. Pigot & A. Hibara, Capillary wave resonance, JAIMA 2011 (Tokyo)
   
7. J. Kawada, H. Kimura, S. Kaneda, H. Akutsu, Y. Sakai and T. Fujii, "FORMATION OF ARTICULATED EMBRYOID BODY (art-EB) FOR SPATIALLY CONTROLLED DIFFERENTIATION", Proc. MicroTAS 2011, pp.846-848, 2011.
   
8. M. C. Tarhan, R. Yokokawa, L. Jalabert, D. Collard and H. Fujita, A MOTOR PROTEIN-BASED ENZYMATIC DETECTION SYSTEM, accepted to MicroTAS 2011.
   
9. N. Lafitte, M. Kumemura, L. Jalabert, D. Collard and H. Fujita, REAL-TIME SENSING OF MOLECULE BINDING ON DNA WITH SILICON NANOTWEEZERS, accepted to MicroTAS 2011.
   
10. K. Montagne, R. Plasson, A. Padirac, T. Fujii and Y. Rondelez. A toolbox to build time-responsive in vitro DNA networks (oral). DNA17 (Caltech, sept 2011).
    
11. A. Padirac, T. Fujii and Y. Rondelez. De novo construction of a DNA-based bistable switch (poster). DNA17 (Caltech, sept 2011).
    
12. G. Tortissier, P. Ginet, B. Kim, H. Fujita, H. Toshiyoshi; “Enhanced CF4 Plasma Treated Polymer Film for Flexible Display Application“, Optical MEMS and Nanophotonics, Istanbul, Turkey (2011).
    
13. G. Tortissier, H. Fujita, H. Toshiyoshi; “Color Filter MEMS Flexible Display“, International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies , Singapore (2011).
    
14. B. Daunay, P. Lambert, L. Jalabert, D. Collard and H. Fujita, Optimization of liquid dielectrophoresis (L-DEP) based devices towards conductive biological liquids handling, Accepted in Transducers 2011, Beijin.
    
15. M. Kumemura, D. Collard, R. Tourvielle, N. Lafitte, K. Montagne, S. Yoshizawa, D. Fourmy, L. Jalabert, Y. Sakai, S. Takeuchi, T. Fujii, and H. Fujita, INTEGRATED MEMS PLATFORM WITH SILICON NANOTWEEZERS AND OPEN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE FOR MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOMECHANICAL ASSAYS, Accepted as an oral presentation at IEEE Int. Conference on MEMS 2011, Cancun, Mexico.
    
16. Y-A. Chapuis, L. Jalabert, E. Sarajlic, D. Collard, H. Fujita, Polymer Membrane-based thermo-pneumatic actuation for distributed air-jet planar micromanipulator, Accepted as an oral presentation at IEEE Int. Conference on MEMS 2011, Cancun, Mexico.
    
17. E. S. Kannan, I. Bisotto, R. Murali, T. J. Beck, L. Jalabert, K. Sawano, H. Fujita and J.-C. Portal, Electron-antidot interaction in antidot lattice with different etching parameter, The 19th international conference on Electronic Properties of Two-Dimensional Systems (EP2DS19) and the 15th conference on Modulated Semiconductor Structures (MSS 15), Tallahassee, Florida, July 25-29, 2011 website
    
18. I. Bisotto, E. S. Kannan, R. Murali, T. J. Beck, L. Jalabert, K. Sawano, H. Fujita and J.-C. Portal, Ratchet photovoltage in Si/SiGe heterostructure for different antidot lattice parameters, The 19th international conference on Electronic Properties of Two-Dimensional Systems (EP2DS19) and the 15th conference on Modulated Semiconductor Structures (MSS 15), Tallahassee, Florida, July 25-29, 2011 website
    
19. S. Volz, L. Jalabert, Y. Chalopin and H. Fujita, Thermal Conductance of Silicon Nanocontacts, Poster BB9.24, MRS Spring Meeting 2011.
20. R. Plasson, K. Montagne, A. Padirac, T. Fujii & Yannick Rondelez, A DNA toolbox for engineering in vitro life-like behaviors, European Conference on Artificial Life 2011, Oral, Paris, France (2011).
    
21. R. Plasson, K. Montagne, A. Padirac, T. Fujii & Yannick Rondelez, A DNA toolbox for engineering in vitro life-like behaviors, Origin2011, Oral, Montpelier France (2011).
    
22. S. Kim, Y. Rondelez, S. Takeuchi, S. Yoshizawa,D. Fourmy and T. Fujii, Microchamber array for cell-free protein synthesis from single DNA molecules, PacifiChem, Hawaii, USA, Poster (2010).
    
23. K. Montagne, Y. Sakai, T. Fujii & Y. Rondelez, An experimental batch oscillator encoded by DNA oligonucleotides DNA16, Oral, (2010).
    
24. SH. Kim,T. Yamamoto, Y. Rondelez, D. Fourmy,T. Fujii, Electroactive microwell array for trapping and lysing single E. Coli cells, Micro Total Analysis Systems 2009, Jejun, Korea. Poster (2009).
    
25. K. Montagne, R. Plasson, T. Fujii & Y. Rondelez, A molecular networking strategy to build artificial complex behaviours, Saibo o tsukuru kai third meeting, Tokyo, Japan, Poster (2010).
    
26. A. Padirac, K. Montagne, R. Plasson, T. Fujii, Y. Rondelez, Building complex dynamic behaviors in a tube. The 49th Annual Meeting of the Biological Society of Japan, Himeji. Japan, 16-18.09.2011
    
27. K. Montagne, A. Padirac, T. Fujii, R. Plasson, Y. Rondelez, DNA-based reaction networks with complex behaviors, K, The Society for Biotechnology of Japan, 2011 Meeting, Tokyo, Japan, 26-28.09.2011
    
28. N. Lafitte, M. Kumemura, D. Collard, R. Tourvielle, K. Montagne, S. Yoshizawa, D. Fourmy, L. Jalabert, Y. Sakai, S. Takeuchi, T. Fujii and H. Fujita, “Silicon nanotweezers for molecular and cellular biomechanical assays,” The 6th International Conference on Microtechnologies in Medicine and Biology, Lucerne, Switzerland, MMB 2011.
    

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    2009 Papers - 2009 Conferences - Previous years

January 22nd 2012

EUJO-LIMMS Scientific Meeting - PM 1:00 - Bw403

The European Commission launched a INCOLAB initiative aiming to settle international research laboratories in 6 countries (Brazil, China, India, Japan, Russia, U.S.A). The EC objective is to open 1 international collaborative per country based on existing EC members operational structure.
LIMMS/CNRS-IIS, based on if 16 years of fruitful collaboration between CNRS and IIS/The University of Tokyo applied by proposing to open its structure to close European partners. This proposal EUJO-LIMMS (EUrope-Japan Opening of LIMMS) was ranked first for Japan and was selected by the EC as the (first) European Laboratory in Japan.
EUJO-LIMMS aims to reinforce research collaboration between Europe and Japan to tackle new challenges in micro and nano technologies. LIMMS opens its structure and hosting capacities to researchers from three European institutions that had already networking activity with both CNRS and UT, and they agreed to join the program. These partners are EPFL in Switzerland, IMTEK in Freiburg, Germany and VTT in Finland.
This presentation will detail the challenges and goals of EUJO-LIMMS (administrative, scientific and financial issues will be addressed). Speakers : D. Collard, T. Fujii, H. Hirano

Happy New Year 2012 !!

November 9th, 2011

4 new JSPS Post-Doc positions at LIMMS.
Deadline : November 11th, 2011

The topics are described on the Emploi Scientifique en France web site.

• Topic 1: Kinesin motor walking on microtubule rails and reconstruct the intracellular material transport system on a glass chip
  

Référence : ESF-7151
Host Lab: Fujita Lab
http://www.emploi-scientifique.info/esf_view_offre.php?id_offre=7151&retour_cand=1

• Topic 2: Heat transport in silicon nanowire
  

Référence : ESF-7148
Host Lab: Fujita Lab
http://www.emploi-scientifique.info/esf_view_offre.php?id_offre=7148&retour_cand=1

• Topic 3: Manipulation of Nanomechanical Oscillators in Quantum World ~Optomechanics & Thermoelectronics
  

Référence : ESF-7146
Host Lab: Nomura Lab
http://www.emploi-scientifique.info/esf_view_offre.php?id_offre=7146&retour_cand=1

• Topic 4: Self-assembling of Three-Dimensional Cellular Microstructures
  

Référence : ESF-7145
Host Lab: Takeuchi Lab
http://www.emploi-scientifique.info/esf_view_offre.php?id_offre=7145&retour_cand=1

November 4th, 2011

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Announcement #39'
November 4th 2011 at PM 5:00
C-lounge, Building C, 2nd floor
IIS-University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505.

Dr. Anthony COLEMAN
LMI, University of Lyon
Title : Non-porosity, Porosity, Multi-porosity: the Disordered life of Calix[n]arenes in the Solid-state
Abstract:
In this talk I will show that seemingly non-porous materials are highly porous and have very high stability towards absorption/desorption. Various types of porosity can exist not only in macro- scopic systems but even with regard to different types of channel in a crystal. If gases or volatile organics can flow rapidly into and out of solids what about fluidity in the solid state ?We will show in the complex of para-sulphonato- calix[8]arene with bipyridylethane there are separate channels for water and the bipy moiety but with intriguing differences in polarity. I will spend some time on high symmetry complexes and gas uptake. The work will be demonstrated by use of Surface Acoustic Wave sensors and will show how low one can get in vapor pressure. The hierarchical structures of the films used will be demonstrated.

September 20th, 2011

TODAI FORUM 2011 in Paris and Lyon from October 16th to 26th 2011, The Frontiers of Knowledge
This event aims at promoting academic and student exchange between french academic institutions and the University of Tokyo.
Open to public (inscription),TODAI FORUM will include study fairs, symposia, sessions on Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, Medicine and other fields (architecture, Media Culture, Urban planning and architecture...).
LIMMS participates to the event on October 18th, in Paris (CNRS), with the Alumni Network Inauguration Symposium on "Innovation through International Cooperative Research".

Complete informations and registration : [TODAI FORUM]

September, 15th 2011

LIMMS 4 years evaluation will be organized at IIS on Sept. 29th.
The morning session will be opened to public. Inscription is mandatory (contact LIMMS secretaries to apply).

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Pre-Announcement #38'
September 30th 2011 at PM 4:30
Super BNR with Dr. Jean-Louis Viovy (Institut Curie, France) and Dr. Sean O'Shea (Institute for Materials Research and Engineering in Singapore, Singapore)

July, 20th 2011

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Announcement #37'
July 26th 2011 at PM 4:30
E-lounge, Building E, 2nd floor
IIS-University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505.

Dr. Charles PLESSY
RIKEN Omics Science Center Yokohama
Title : Quantitative sequencing
abstract
Sequencers that can read millions of short nucleic acids in one day are revolutionising biology. It is expected that sequencing an individual’s genetic information will eventually cost less than 100,000 yens. But in addition to this qualitative use, the very high through- put of these new sequencers opens applications of quantitative nature, where the infor- mation is not only the sequences themselves, but the also the number of times they were observed. Sequencing technologies are now competing with microarrays and quantita- tive PCR in molecular biologists' experimental designs. After summarising the instru- ments available on the market and their usual applications, I will illustrate uses with two developments made at the RIKEN Omics Science Center. A) Using CAGE (Cap Analysis Gene Expression), we detect where the transcription of DNA in RNA starts on the chromo- somes, and use this information quantitatively to infer gene expression and reverse- engineer the cell's genetic program. B) By sequencing the antigen receptors of the T lym- phocytes, which are extremely variable as they are generated by the cells editing their own genome, we are studying how receptor use correlates with cell specialisation, open- ing the future possibility of monitoring the immune system's activity through a blood sample.

July 19th, 2011

Microwave nanodetectors and microgenerators employ ratchet effect :
Asymmetrical motion of particles could be used to harness surrounding ambient microwaves
[link free access to nanotechweb.org archive]

April, 26th 2011

The JSPS Spring campaign is NOW published on ABG web site. The deadline to answer is May 8th. 2011
2 JSPS candidates in Nanotechnologies :

• ABG-33780 Post-doctoral position in Biomolecular motor for applied nanotransportation systems.
  
• ABG-33781 Post-doctoral position in MEMS in TEM: Heat transport in silicon nanowire
  

Nota: Association Bernard Gregory (ABG) is now called l’Intelli’agence.

April, 18th 2011

Following the march 11 dramatic events in Japan, most of the LIMMS members were back in Tokyo, and other members are on the way back.
We are glad to say that LIMMS has quite fully recovered its activity. Currently IIS electricity regulation plan allows us to restart experiments to check our global consumption and it will be optimized, if needed.
LIMMS direction would like to thank very warmly the laboratories in France that hosted the LIMMS researchers during their stay in France after March 11. Special thanks to the direction, administration and collegues from ENS (Paris), FEMTO-ST (Besancon), IEMN (Lille), LAAS (Toulouse), Neel Institute in France, UPMC/ISIR (Paris).

March, 10th 2011

LIMMS Workshop was help at IMS in Bordeaux and more the 80 people attended the event. LIMMS general activity was presented by LIMMS direction. Pr Fujita, Pr Kawakatsu and Pr Takeuchi gave a talk on opportunities to develop innovative researches in Advanced MEMS, Nanotech and Bio-MEMS respectively. Former LIMMS members also reported about their experience at LIMMS to enhance interactions with the audience and motivate candidates to join us.

LIMMS would like again to thank IMS direction, administration and staff members for their excellent arrangement and the quality of the hosting.

Feb, 2nd 2011

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Announcement'
Feb 17th 2011 at PM 5:00
C-lounge, Building C, 2nd floor
IIS-University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505.

Dr. Vincent BOUCHIAT
Institut Neel CNRS/UJF Grenoble, France
Title : Graphene based NEMS: State of the art and perspectives
Abstract
Graphene offers an ideal starting material to realize electro-mechanical devices as it combines extremely low mass, very high young modulus (1TPa) and tunable electron charge density with excellent carrier mobilities. We present an experimental study of graphene membrane resonators obtained by the con- trolled under-etching of Graphene transistors. Actuation is realized by RF irradiation on the gate while measurement of the mechanical reso- nance is obtained by heterodyne frequency mixing followed by lock-in detection. The observed mechanical resonances for micron-scale doubly clamped membranes is of several tens of MHz with a quality factor exceeding 500 at room temperature and reaching 10,000 at low temperature. A DC voltage applied on the gate induces a mechanical strain within the mem- brane which allows to tune the resonant frequency on a wide range (typically 40-100 MHz ). The dispersion curves measured at different temperatures show that the built-in stress within the membrane determine the resonance properties. Perspectives for the cryogenic use of these devices in the superconducting state after controlled doping will be presented. Perpectives of operating these devices within the quantum regime will be discussed.

January, 22nd 2011

Séminaire de présentation du Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems : LIMMS /CNRS-IIS UMI 2820

qui se tiendra le :
Jeudi 10 mars 2011 (toute la journée) à Bordeaux (accueil de l'IMS).

Le but de ce séminaire est de vous faire part de la structure et des activités scientifiques récentes du LIMMS par la présentation des derniers sujets et résultats de recherche. L'objectif de ce séminaire est également de susciter des candidatures CR, DR CNRS, enseignant-chercheurs, et chercheurs post-doctoraux pour rejoindre le LIMMS. Une table ronde presentera des temoignages de chercheurs ayant finalise un transfert d'activités ou de technologies en France, a leur retour. Les chercheurs et professeurs japonais et français seront à votre disposition. Une grande partie de l'après-midi sera consacrée à une session poster et à des discussions en tête à tête (Research Fair) pour étudier concrètement des sujets pouvant aboutir à un séjour au LIMMS.

UPDATED PROGRAM AND INFORMATIONS --> click here Informations

January, 11th

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Announcement
Jan 17th 2011 at PM 4:30
C-lounge, Building C, 2nd floor
IIS-University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505.

Dr. Eric LECLERC
University of Technology of Compiegne, France
Title : Organs « on a chip »: Towards Predictive System Toxicology in Microfluidic Bioartificial Organs
Abstract
We will present a cell culture device for pharmacological and toxicological studies. At first the design issue will be introduced in order to create a microfluidic biochip allowing dynamic cell culture in a microenvironment configuration. Then, basic cell biological function will be characterized and we will show that hepatic cells main- tained liver specific functions when compared to classical well plates. To illustrate the microfluidic biochip potential, two examples of applications will be presented. In the first application we will show the interest of the biochip concerning the predictive toxicology and the related mechanistic interpretations. For that purpose, the cells have treated by acetaminophen (APAP). The results found in the biochip have reflected the specific toxic mechanism when compared to the conventional method due to a high Napqi biosynthesis. The transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of the APAP treatment have demonstrated similar biological processes affected in the biochip when compared to in vivo studies. As an extension of this work, we will present the potential of the biochip to identify specific biomarkers. In a second application related to pharmaceutical investigations and ADME-Tox studies, we will show the biotransformation capacity of primary human hepatocytes in microfluidic biochips. For that purpose, we have exposed the hepatocytes to a cocktail of specific probes of the key enzymes of the drug metabolism. The results show a higher biotransformation activity in the biochip compared to the traditional culture method. Thus, both examples will highlight the relevance of the microfluidic biochip in the frame of the development of alternative methods in predictive toxicology and ADME-Tox studies.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

November, 27th

LIMMS was involved in the organization of the JFR'10 (Journee Francophone de la Recherche, 2010) that was held at the Maison Franco-Japonaise, Ebisu, Tokyo. [JFR2010].
8 contributions from LIMMS members (posters) were presented.

November, 26th

Dr. Michel Lannoo, Vice President of P. Cezanne Aix-Marseille University and CNRS Adviser for Nanotechnology and Nanoscience, visited LIMMS and Host Labs on Nov 25th, 2010.

November, 25th

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Announcement
Nov 29th 2010 at PM 5:00
An-301-302, Building A, 3nd floor
IIS-University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505.

Pr. Jean-Paul RIEU
Laboratoire de Physique de la matiere condensee et nanostructures
Universite Claude Bernard, Lyon I, France
Title : Physics and Rheology of embrionic cell aggregates: role of cytoskeleton and cell-cell adhesion
Abstract
It is now well known that embryonic tissues exhibit a complex fluid behaviour. Cell aggregates (or spheroids) made from dissociated and reaggregated cells or rounded explants are excellent systems to study these issues. The aim of our research is therefore to investigate whether changes in cell contractility independently of cadherin expression may also affect tissue surface tension. For this purpose, we are using different drugs affecting the cytoskeleton as well as cell lines derived from mouse carcinoma expressing cadherins whose link to the cytoskeleton has been impaired. We will present experimental results using biophysical methods to characterize quantitatively mechani- cal and physical properties of aggregates whose contractility have been modified under controlled conditions: tissue surface tensiometry, shape relaxation experiments, rheology experiments. The issue of cell-cell rearrangements in aggregates will be addressed from both 2-photons confocal experiments and modelling of stress-dependent tissue viscosity using an Eyring model.

November, 1st

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Announcement
A Super-BNR on Nanotechnologies will be organized on November 26th, at IIS from 15h30 (C-lounge, 2nd Floor)
Invited speakers are Pr. Fujita (40min), Pr. Kawakatsu (40min), and Dr. M. Lannoo (60min) from CNRS France.
If you would like to attend this Super-BNR, please contact Herve_GUILLOU,_Dr. or Yannick_RONDELEZ,_Dr. who are both in charge of the organization.

15h30 : H. Fujita (CIRMM, IIS, The University of Tokyo)
MEMS Manipulation/Characterization of Nano/Bio Objects with Simultaneous Imaging
The author and his collegues have intensively investigated MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) design, fabrication and its application to nano and biotechnologies. Nano scientific research using MEMS devices covers the tensile and shear testing of nano contacts in transmission electron microscope (TEM) for in situ atomic level observation of the deformation of materials, and MEMS tweezers for capturing and characterizing DNA and other linear molecules electro- mechanically.MEMS for biotechnology includes microfuidic characterization of micro-organisms (Vorticella picta),micro- machined fL-chambers and heaters to allow single-molecular level enzymology, and the pick-and-place integration of biomolecular motors in MEMS for direct sorting and transportation of specific sample molecules. In this talk, I will focus on three topics; nano tensile/shear testing in TEM, MEMS tweezers for capturing and characterizing DNA molecules, and the nano transportation device that was built by pick-and-place assembly of biomolecular motors.

16h10 : H. Kawakatsu (CIRMM, IIS, The University of Tokyo)
Methods for measuring vibrations at the nanometer scale
We report on various instrumentation issues related to friction measurement or lateral vibration measurement in tribological studies. One is the use of heterodyne laser doppler interferometry and photothermal vibration excitation, where commercially available atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilevers could be made to oscillate both in the deflec- tion and torsional modes in the MHz regime. Structured water molecules could be imaged with molecular resolution at room temperature. The second method is the use of emission from vibrating molecules or nanometric structures. The origin of vibrating emission images on the phosphorus screen is identified.We will discuss the possibility of exploiting the measurement technique to measure the interaction of small oscillators and molecules with the environment in which they are placed.

16h50 : Coffee Break

17h00 : M. Lannoo (Scientific advisor at CNRS presidence, CNRS)
Strategic approach to nanoscience and technology developed by CNRS
We start by summarizing some key features for CNRS and the National plan for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. We discuss the geographical repartition of the national and main local facilities.This is followed by a description of the role of the C’Nano which are interdisciplinary networks.The national financial support is compared to that of other countries in the world. We then come back to the situation at CNRS with its new organization and the need for a specific approach to interdisciplinarity which has led to the creation of a strategic unit in this field. We describe its role and its first achieve- ments. We end up by giving a short list of the main issues which are treated in the mixed CNRS – University Laboratories.

October, 17th

NAMIS International Autumn School 2010 is held at the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo.
From 17th October to 23th October 2010.
The school is limited to NAMIS and greater NAMIS members only. More informations on the web site NAMIS

September 20th, 2010

The JSPS Automn campaign is NOW published on ABG web site. The deadline to answer is September 30th.
The topics are described on the ABG web site, and the host labs targeted for 3 JSPS candidates are :

• ABG-28883 Post-doctoral position in Detection of vibrations of molecules and nanooscillators for microscopy and mass measurement
  
• ABG-28880 Post-doctoral position in Molecular computing in microsystems
  
• ABG-28879 Post-doctoral position in “More-than-VLSI” Smart Devices and Systems by “MEMS-born” Process Technologies
  

ABG web page- search keyword = japan

July 25th, 2010

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Announcement
July 27th 2010 at PM 2:00
C-lounge, Building C, 2nd floor
IIS-University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505.

Pr. Stephan DILHAIRE
Centre de Physique Moleculaire Optique et Hertzienne, Boredeaux, France

Title : When Photons listen to Phonons.
Abstract
How can light be used to generate and detect acoustic and thermal waves in solids? The principle of Picosecond Ultrasonics and Picosecond thermoreflectance is to use intense (100kW) and ultrashort (100fs) light train pulses as a hammer to produce a thermo acoustic perturbation in a nanomate- rial. A second light train pulses is used as a stroboscope to detect the surface motion or temperature with a sub picosecond time resolution. The thermal and acoustic spectrum can be monitored up to 2THz. The acoustic wavelength is in the order of nanometer. That allows this technique to be very well suited to micro and nano thermal physics, and nanomaterial physical properties measurement. The principle of Picosecond Ultrasonics and Picosecond thermoreflectance will be explained in simple words. Some applications to time resolved spectroscopy using a super continuum generated by a photonic crystal fiber will be presented. This kind of experiment can be used to generate and observe shear waves at picosecond time scale. This opens a new field for non-contact measurement, metrology and failure analysis in microelectronics. A few applications will be presented.
Download the Abstract

May 24th, 2010

Pr. A. Fuchs, President of CNRS France, will visit LIMMS on May 28th, 2010.

May 26th, 2010

BIO-NANO-ROBO Seminar Series Announcement
May 31st 2010 at PM 3:30
An301-302, Building A, 3rd Floor
IIS-University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505.

Pr. Stanislav L.KARSTEN
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, USA

Title : ‘’Fishing expedition’’ for biomarkers and modifiers of human neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract :

Past decade was marked by rapid advances in genome sequencing combined with an unprecedented development of novel research approaches to study biological systems in their complexity. A vast amount of genomic information and new tools such as gene expression microarrays triggered the call for a broad experimental design that includes a prerequisite and more extensive ‘’hypothesis generation’’ steps logi- cally connected with follow-up functional studies. This approach lead to the development of a new field of research generally referred to as Functional Genomics. Our research applies the tools and techniques of functional genomics to the studies of human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. It focuses on the generation of whole genome expression data in health and disease, and filtering these data using functional studies in vitro and in vivo towards the identification of novel biomarkers, disease modifiers and drug targets. In this presentation, several recently completed and ongoing projects will be described with a focus on identification and functional validation of puromycin sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA/NPEPPS), a novel neuroprotective factor that specifically acts on neurotoxic misfolded proteins. Special emphasis will be made on current methods and experimental challenges used in this work. Download the Abstract

May, 01st, 2010

Annoucement JFR 2010
The annual meeting of the French-speaking scientists in Japan will be held at the Maison Franco-Japonaise, Ebisu (Tokyo) on November 27th, 2010.
Researchers, students, officials, firms and organizations are welcome to attend. For more informations and inscriptions : [JFR2010].

March, 29th, 2010

Visit of LIMMS by a delegation from the French Ambassy in Japan, Madame Florence RIVIERE-BOURHIS (Conseiller pour la Science et la Technologie) and Monsieur Jacques MALEVAL (Conseiller spécial), together with Madame Natacha AVELINE (Directeur du bureau CNRS au Japon).

February, 4th, 2010

Steering Commitee
Every 4 years, LIMMS is evaluated by CNRS. At mid-term, a steering committee is organized in Tokyo.

BNR Seminars 2009

All the abstracts of BNR seminars organized in 2009 are available here.

Nov 14th, 2009

LIMMS was involved in a part of the organization of the Journée Francophone de la Recherche (JFR) 2009 at the Maison Franco-Japonaise of Tokyo (Ebisu), and presented several posters covering the 3 axis of our Research topics. The JFR is a one day seminar for the french-speaking community, whatever the nationality of participants, and is organized by the French Embassy, Sciencescope, CNRS North Asia, industries representatives CCE and CCIFJ and Japanese associations (ABSCIF, AFJEJ, ALFI, SFJTI). More informations are available on the JFR09 web page.

May 22nd 2009

Nanotweezers : LIMMS and IIS are cited in the "Techniques de l'ingenieur" (in french), and the "Journal of CNRS" (in french).
Techniques de l'ingenieur

le journal du CNRS/Faits marquants

March, 29th 2009

Le LIMMS Workshop was held in CNRS Paris, on March 10th. Almost 100 persons have attended this workshop, which was a full success for the organizers.
The aim of this workshop was both to present all the actual research topics performed by LIMMS members, and to offer a good opportunity for future CNRS researchers and post-doctorate candidates for LIMMS to meet all the host Professors.
Some pictures of the event are available on this link LIMMS WORKSHOP 2009.

previous events

• to be announced : CNRS and JSPS-POST DOC POSITION AT LIMMS
  

Spring and Autumn JSPS Post doc Campain to be announced.

• General information for CNRS researchers
  • General information is now available (2006-11-17).
  • General informations (French & English))

• New ANR cycle has began
  • Official website

• MEMS 2008 : January, 13-17, 2008 (Tucson, Arizona, USA).
  
• APCOT 2008 : Asia-Pacific Conference on Transducers and Micro-Nano Technology 2008

Old Conference Schedule