Home Program Team About Microfluidics Past Projects Alumni Apply FAQ

Are you interested in creating new tools for biology and medical diagnostics? Do you want to learn more about microfluidics and gain hands-on experience with microfabrication? BioChIP may be a great program for you!

BioChIP (Biology on a Chip Internship Program) is a hands-on 10-week program where undergraduates from around the country design, prototype, and test microfluidic devices aimed at addressing questions in biology. BioChIP participants work in pairs and develop their project with two faculty mentors: one with expertise in engineering microdevices and one with expertise in biological/clinical science who has a need for a specific innovative experimental tool.

Participants work in the microfluidics instructional laboratory within UC Berkeley’s Biomolecular Nanotechnology Center (BNC). All participants learn to design devices using AutoCAD, build functional prototypes using soft polymer lithography, and conduct experiments on biological specimens. Check out our past projects to see what previous participants have done.

BioChIP prepares students for graduate study through lectures, workshops, and hands-on training relevant for research at the intersection of engineering and biology. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss graduate school with current graduate students, learn about cutting-edge research and product development from faculty and local entrepreneurs, and learn to critically evaluate research literature through weekly journal club meetings. The program culminates with a poster session where participants present their results. Participants receive housing in Berkeley's International House, a dynamic living environment which is home to a diverse mix of current and visiting students, and we plan fun outdoor social activities throughout the summer. Check out the alumni page to see what past participants have said about their BioChIP summer experiences.