Research Overview

Biology is organized across many scales: molecules, cells, cell pairs, tissues, and patient populations.

The Di Carlo Lab develops technologies that connect these scales by making biological function measurable and programmable. Our current research is organized around three themes: Lab on a Particle, Automated Science, and Distributed Diagnostics.

Each theme reflects a broader goal: to move powerful biological measurements out of specialized environments and into formats that are scalable, reproducible, and accessible to many laboratories and clinical settings.

Current Research

Measure biology

Lab on a Particle

Engineered microparticles that act as tiny laboratories for single cells, molecules, and cell-cell interactions. We use nanovials, PicoShells, and related platforms to measure cell function, secretion, growth, molecular state, immune profiling, and communication at scale.

Automate discovery

Automated Science

Programmable experimental systems that reduce the cost and complexity of biological automation. We develop ferrobotic, droplet-based, and repurposed hardware platforms to make complex assays more accessible and reproducible.

Deploy diagnostics

Distributed Diagnostics

Diagnostic technologies designed for earlier, faster, and more actionable health decisions. We develop physical phenotyping tools, vertical flow assays, and automated diagnostic workflows for use beyond centralized laboratories.

Historical Research Foundations

Many of the Di Carlo Lab’s current technologies grew from foundational work in microfluidics, biomaterials, cell mechanics, and microscale physics. These research areas established principles and platforms that continue to influence the lab’s work in lab-on-a-particle systems, automated science, and distributed diagnostics.

Explore Historical Research