The Acceleration Consortium and CRAFT fund projects that accelerate scientific discovery in the field of microfluidics
The joint funding is made possible, in part, by the AC’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) grant and CRAFT’s support from National Research Council Canada (NRC)
As part of its commitment to advancing the emerging field of accelerated discovery, the Acceleration Consortium (AC), in partnership with the Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT), are pleased to announce the recipients of their first joint seed grant competition.
The CRAFT- AC collaborative grants are designed to help faculty enter the field of accelerated discovery or enable them to collaborate with those already working inaccelerated discovery. Both awarded projects focus on microfluidics-based technologies to support the development of self-driving laboratories (SDLs), using AI and automation to accelerate the entire cycle of experimentation while making it more efficient and increasing precision.
The inaugural recipients of this funding include both established leaders and emerging early-career researchers driving the future of accelerated discovery:
Aaron Wheeler, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Microfluidics Bioanalysis, Professor in the Department of Chemistry, and Institute of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Toronto
Co-PIs: Ilya Yakavets, AC HOM-SDL; Michael Dryden, CRAFT/NRC
Integrated Digital Microfluidics Platform for Autonomous Low-Volume Cell Assays
SDLs rely on robotics and AI to accelerate discovery, but current systems cannot reliably handle the very small liquid volumes required for many advanced applications. This project introduces digital microfluidics (DMF), a micro/nano-scale liquid handler that moves droplets electrically rather than by pipetting, enabling precise nanolitre-to-microlitre control. This lets the system precisely mix, split, and move drops that are only billionths of a litre. The research team will build software that lets different lab robots easily connect to the DMF chip, creating a flexible, “plug-and-play” tool that other SDLs can use for many kinds of chemical and biological tests. In collaboration with the AC’s Human Organ Mimicry self-driving lab.
Yufeng Zhao, Research Officer, National Research Council of Canada and Assistant Professor in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto
CoPIs: Keith Pardee, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy; Yimu Zhao, AC HOM-SDL
Advancing a Self-Driving Lab for Organ-on-a-Chip Models with Non-Invasive, Multiplexed Molecular Biosensing
Much of what happens inside cells happens quite literally, in the dark. To help address this issue, this project focuses on advancing organ-on-a-chip technology by engineering cells with genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors, so-called “glowing spies,” that illuminate key molecular activities such as protein expression, calcium signaling, electrical activity, and immune cell development without disrupting the system. The research team will use SDL technology to automate the production, quality control, and testing of organ-on-a-chip systems. Ultimately, this project aims to enable researchers to study human biology in a non-invasive way, discover new medicines faster and more safely as well as reduce or even eliminate the need for animal testing. In collaboration with the AC’s Human Organ Mimicry self-driving lab.
The AC opens its next Accelerate grant funding competition in summer 2026.
About CRAFT
CRAFT represents a strategic partnership between the University of Toronto, Unity Health Toronto, and the National Research Council of Canada, supporting the entire value chain of manufacturing microfluidics-based products in Canada. CRAFT research focuses on translating innovations in disease diagnostics and bioanalytics, miniature human organ (organ-on-a-chip) models and biofabrication technologies into the Canadian industry and healthcare systems while training the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.
About the Acceleration Consortium
Based at the University of Toronto, the Acceleration Consortium (AC) is a global community of government, academia, and industry that uses AI and automation to accelerate the discovery of materials and molecules needed for a sustainable future—such as life-saving medications, biodegradable plastics, and renewable energy.
Photo Credit: CRAFT. A digital microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device.
