Impact of Red Blood Cell Deformability on Aggregation

Keywords: rheology, microfluidics, blood, red blood cells

Context

Red blood cells (RBCs), which account for 40–50% of blood volume and transport oxygen through the circulation, are simple cells composed of a deformable membrane enclosing a viscous hemoglobin solution. Their deformability is essential for microcirculation, where the narrowest capillaries have diameters on the order of the cell size. This property changes during the RBC lifespan (about 4 months), as cells progressively dehydrate and stiffen, and it is also strongly altered in certain pathologies (e.g. sickle cell disease, thalassemias).We have recently developed a microfluidic device to assess RBC aggregability, based on their disaggregation under extensional flow. This setup allows us to quantify the influence of deformability, whether modulated artificially, related to cell aging, or associated with specific pathologies.

Objectives and methodology

The internship will focus on the study of RBC aggregability using different types of samples:
    •    pathological samples obtained in collaboration with Grenoble University Hospital (CHU Grenoble Alpes),
    •    healthy samples modified in a controlled manner and/or fractionated according to their properties.

The work will include:
    •    sample preparation,
    •    microfluidic experiments (flow control, image acquisition),
    •    image processing and data analysis, including the use of machine learning methods.
  

Candidate profile

Master’s student (2nd year, possibly 1st year) or engineering school student in mechanics, physics, or bioengineering. The candidate should be curious, motivated, and interested in experimental work, microfluidics, image and data analysis.
Experience in programming (Python, Matlab, or similar) would be an asset.