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포스텍 국가연구소 K-BIGHEART 소속 Vikas Sharma 박사의 인도 Vellore Institute of Technology(VIT) 조교수 임용을 축하하며,

아래와 같이 포스텍 구성원을 대상으로 오픈 세미나를 개최합니다.

 

강연자: Vikas Sharma 박사 (K-BIGHEART, VIT-Appointed affiliation from August 2026)

주제: Integrated Microfluidic Platforms for Intensified Bioprocessing: Toward RNA Therapeutics Manufacturing

일시: 2026년 7월 24일 (금) 10:30 ~ 11:30

장소: 체인지업그라운드 미디어홀

대상: 포스텍 학부생, 대학원생 및 교직원 등 관심 있는 구성원 누구나
강의언어: 영어

참가 등록: 포스터 내 QR코드 스캔 또는 등록링크 바로가기 https://forms.gle/8pFQsPbwTE2AsWJFA 
강연 문의: 글로벌 헬스케어 의공학 연구소 (k-bigheart@postech.ac.kr)

[POSTECH K-BIGHEART] Special Seminar

▷Speaker: Vikas Sharma (K-BIGHEART, VIT-Appointed affiliation from August 2026)

▷Date & Time: July 24th, 10:30 ~ 11:30 
▷Venue: Media Hall, ChangeUp Ground
▷Topic: Integrated Microfluidic Platforms for Intensified Bioprocessing: Toward RNA Therapeutics Manufacturing
▷Language: English
▷Registration: https://forms.gle/8pFQsPbwTE2AsWJFA 

▷Abstract
The manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals is moving from conventional batch-based unit operations toward automated, integrated, and intensified bioprocessing. This transition is particularly important for RNA therapeutics, where product quality and reproducibility depend on tightly controlled processes such as in vitro transcription (IVT), enzymatic digestion, purification, and concentration. In this seminar, I will present my research on integrated microfluidic platforms for RNA therapeutics manufacturing, using mRNA production as the primary experimental model.

The seminar will highlight how miniaturized flow systems can improve mass transfer, reduce processing time, enable automation, and support continuous or quasi-continuous manufacturing. I will then discuss an automated microfluidic oscillatory bioreactor for intensified mRNA synthesis. This platform uses precise segmented injection, micromixers, controlled residence time, and regulated oscillatory flow to enhance IVT mixing, improving mRNA yield and quality while reducing dsRNA impurity formation.

Building on this synthesis module, I will present an automated modular microfluidic platform for end-to-end mRNA synthesis and purification. The workflow integrates oscillatory IVT with microfluidic DNase digestion/clarification, micro-tangential flow filtration, multimodal chromatography, and final concentration, demonstrating how individual microfluidic unit operations can form a reproducible, closed-path, and process-intensified manufacturing platform.

Finally, I will discuss future directions in RNA therapeutics manufacturing, particularly self-amplifying RNA, through the integration of process analytical technology, chemometrics, machine learning, and digital twin-enabled control. I will also briefly highlight the transition from microfluidic bioprocessing to biochip-based molecular diagnostic applications. Overall, this seminar presents a research vision where microfluidics, automation, and intelligent process control converge to support flexible, high-quality, and scalable RNA therapeutics manufacturing.

 

▷Brief profile

Dr. Vikas Sharma is appointed as an Assistant Professor in the School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT, India. He earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the National Institute of Technology Raipur, India, in Bioprocess Engineering. Following his Ph.D., he worked as a Senior Project Associate at CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, and later as a Postdoctoral Researcher at POSTECH, South Korea (2022-2026). His research interests include integrated bioprocessing, microfluidics for biomanufacturing, RNA therapeutics manufacturing, and biochip-based molecular diagnostic platforms.