Biography

Albert Folch was born in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain). He received both his BSc (1989) and PhD (1994) in Physics from the University of Barcelona. During his Ph.D. he was advised by Prof. Javier Tejada and he was a visiting scientist from 1990–91 at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab (1990-91) under Dr. Miquel Salmeron. He did postdoctoral work on MEMS at MIT (1994–96) under Martin Schmidt (EECS) and Mark Wrighton (Chemistry) and at Harvard-MGH (1997-2000) on microfluidics under Mehmet Toner. He has been at Seattle’s UW BioE since June 2000, where his lab works at the interface between microfluidics, cancer and 3D-printing. In 2001 he received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, in 2006 a NASA Space Act Award, and in 2014 he was elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows. The author has taught several courses at the UW, among them a microfluidics-based course from which he developed his textbook, “Introduction to BioMEMS” (Taylor&Francis, 2012). He is the sole author of five books, including "Hidden in Plain Sight: The History, Science, and Engineering of Microfluidic Technology" (MIT Press, 2022).

Education

• PhD, Surface Science and Nanotechnology, University of Barcelona, Spain, 1994
• BS, Physics, University of Barcelona, Spain, 1989

Previous appointments

• Postdoctoral Associate (Center for Engineering in Medicine), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 1997-2000
• Postdoctoral Fellow (Chemistry Dept. and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Dept.), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994-1997
• Visiting Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 1990-1991

Research Statement

The goal of the Folch lab is to develop the next generation of microfluidic devices for applications in cancer diagnostics. We aim to make microfluidic devices as easy and intuitive to use as smartphones. We use digital manufacturing techniques (3D printing, CNC milling, laser cutting) to fabricate microdevices that facilitate the advancement of translational cancer applications. In particular, we develop microfluidic devices to test multiple cancer drugs and their combinations on a small, live and intact tumor biopsy in order to help doctors decide which treatment is most efficacious. Microfluidics is an excellent technology match for the challenge of probing live human tumors because human tumors are only available in scarce quantities, and understanding the dynamics of the tumor microenvironment necessarily requires microscale tools. We are microfluidic!​​

Select publications

1. K.W. Moyes, C.G. Sip, W. Obenza, E. Yang, C. Horst, R.E. Welikson, S.D. Hauschka, A. Folch, and M.A. Laflamme, “Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes migrate in response to gradients of fibronectin and Wnt5a”, accepted to Stem Cells and Development (2013).
2. Scott, K. Weir, C. Easton, W. Huynh., W.J. Moody, and A. Folch, “A microfluidic microelectrode array for simultaneous electrophysiology, chemical stimulation, and imaging of brain slices”, Lab Chip 13, 527 (2013).
3. H. Lai and A. Folch, “Design and characterization of “single-stroke” peristaltic PDMS micropumps”, Lab Chip 11, 336 (2011).
4. Ellen Tenstad, Anna Tourovskaia, A. Folch, Ola Myklebost, and Edith Rian, “Extensive adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of patterned human mesenchymal stem cells in a microfluidic device”, Lab Chip 10: 1401 (2010). ? inner-cover article.
5. Figueroa, X.A., Cooksey, G.A., Votaw, S.V., Horowitz, L.F., and Folch, A. “Large-Scale Investigation of the Olfactory Receptor Space Using a Microfluidic Microwell Array”, Lab Chip 10: 1120 (2010). ? Cover article.
6. Keenan, T.M., Frevert, C.W., Wu, A., Wong, V., and Folch, A. “A New Method for Studying Gradient-Induced Neutrophil Desensitization Based on an Open Microfluidic Chamber”, Lab Chip 10: 116 (2010).
7. Bhattacharjee, N., Li, N., Keenan, T.M., and Folch, A. “A Neuron-Benign Microfluidic Gradient Generator for Studying the Growth of Mammalian Neurons towards Axon Guidance Factors”, Integrative Biology 2, 669 (2010).
8. Sidorova, J.M. Li, N., Schwartz, D.C., Folch, A., and Monnat Jr., R.J. “Microfluidic-assisted analysis of replicating DNA molecules”, Nature Protocols 4: 849 (2009).
9. Cooksey, G.A., Sip, C.G., and Folch, A., “A Multi-Purpose Microfluidic Perfusion System with Combinatorial Choice of Inputs, Mixtures, Gradient Patterns, and Flow Rates”, Lab Chip 9, 417 (2009).
10. Tourovskaia, A., Li, N., and Folch, A., “Localized acetylcholine receptor clustering dynamics in response to microfluidic focal stimulation with agrin”, Biophys. J. 95: 3009 (2008).
11. Sidorova, J.M., Li, N., Folch, A., and Monnat Jr., R. “The RecQ helicase WRN is required for normal replication fork progression after DNA damage or replication”, Cell Cycle 7, 796 (2008).
12. Keenan, T.M. and Folch, A. “Biomolecular gradients in cell culture systems”, Lab Chip 8: 35-57 (2008)
13. Lam, E.W., Cooksey, G.A., Finlayson, B.A., and Folch, A., “Microfluidic Circuits with Tunable Flow Resistances”, Applied Physics Letters (2006), 89, 164105 (2006) –> featured in the Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science & Technology (Vol. 14, Iss. 18) .
14. Hsu, C.-H. and Folch, A., “Spatiotemporally- Complex Concentration Profiles Using a Tunable Chaotic Micromixer”, Applied Physics Letters 89, 144102 (2006) –> featured in the Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science & Technology (Vol. 14, Iss. 16) .
15. Chen, C. and Folch, A., “A High-Performance Elastomeric Patch Clamp Chip”, Lab on a Chip (2006), 6, 1338.
16. Tourovskaia, A., Figueroa-Masot, X. and Folch, A., “Long-term Microfluidic Cultures of Myotube Microarrays for High-Throughput Focal Stimulation”, Nature Protocols1, 1092 (2006).
17. Keenan, T.M., Hsu, C.-H., and Folch, A. “Microfluidic “Jets” for Generating Steady-State Gradients of Soluble Molecules on Open Surfaces”, Applied Physics Letters89, 114103 (2006)
18. Frevert, C.W., Boggy, G., Keenan, T.M., and Folch, A. “Measurement of Cell Migration in Response to an Evolving Radial Chemokine Gradient Triggered by a Microvalve”, Lab on a Chip 6, 849 (2006)
19. Tourovskaia, A., T.F. Kosar, and Folch, A. “Local Induction of Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering in Myotube Cultures Using Microfluidic Application of Agrin”, Biophysical Journal 90, 2192 (2006).
20. T.F. Kosar, Tourovskaia, A., Figueroa-Masot, X., Adams, M., and Folch, A. “A Nanofabricated Planar Aperture as a Mimic of the Nerve-Muscle Contact During Synaptogenesis”, Lab Chip 6, 632 (2006).

Honors & awards

• 2013 MicroTAS Executive Technical Program Committee member
• 2009-present “Microfluidic Art” exhibits at Harborview Medical Center (Feb 2009-April 2009), UW Meany Theater (Sep 2009-Sep 2010), at the UW Allen Library (Sep 2010-Mar 2011), and at the Biomedical Engineering Society Meeting in Seattle (Sept. 2013), among others.
• 2006 NASA Space Act Award
• 2001 NSF CAREER Award
• 1995-96 Postdoctoral fellowship, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain
• 1991-94 Ph.D. Fellowship, Ministry of Science and Education, Spain
• 1989-1990 Visiting Student Fellowship, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain
• 2015 American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows