Date(s)
le 31 octobre 2025
9h
Lieu(x)
salle des thèses GR L 0130
“Bio-inspiration of insect pheromonal communication by microfluidic system/ Bio-inspiration de la communication phéromonale des insectes par système microfluidique”.
Abstract:
The ability of moths to locate mating partner is achieved through a multi-step cascade system based on pheromonal communication. The low amounts of molecules released by the female can travel across long distances to reach the male’s sensory systems. Understanding this fascinating mechanism offers a valuable source for both bioinspired technologies and insect research.
This project introduces a new approach to studying the interface between microfluidics and insect science at the systems level.
In this work, we present a bioinspired microfluidic chip that mimics the main steps of insect communication by creating a ‘sender => transport => receiver’ platform. The platform includes microgel droplets immobilized on surface-energy anchors for chemical release, and electrophysiological recordings by Xenopus oocytes expressing receptors for pheromone capture. The integration of these units into a single microfluidic chip is done using numerical simulations to explore how channel varying geometries and flow conditions affect overall molecular transport. Additionally, this work includes a standalone chapter that focuses on surface tension measurement of pheromones, relevant to the physical processes occurring as pheromone molecules exit the gland, including evaporation and spreading.
The ability of moths to locate mating partner is achieved through a multi-step cascade system based on pheromonal communication. The low amounts of molecules released by the female can travel across long distances to reach the male’s sensory systems. Understanding this fascinating mechanism offers a valuable source for both bioinspired technologies and insect research.
This project introduces a new approach to studying the interface between microfluidics and insect science at the systems level.
In this work, we present a bioinspired microfluidic chip that mimics the main steps of insect communication by creating a ‘sender => transport => receiver’ platform. The platform includes microgel droplets immobilized on surface-energy anchors for chemical release, and electrophysiological recordings by Xenopus oocytes expressing receptors for pheromone capture. The integration of these units into a single microfluidic chip is done using numerical simulations to explore how channel varying geometries and flow conditions affect overall molecular transport. Additionally, this work includes a standalone chapter that focuses on surface tension measurement of pheromones, relevant to the physical processes occurring as pheromone molecules exit the gland, including evaporation and spreading.
