The NYUAD Center for Cyber Security and Engineering, together hosted a first-ever microfluidic workshop and hackathon with the help of NYUAD iGEM team. The workshop included hands-on practice on a commercial microfluidic biochip, which were used for RT-PCR COVID-19 detection at NYUAD. These biochips use microfluidic technologies and integrated fluidic circuits for their operation. They present a potent future keeping in view the era of global pandemics and personalized medicines. In total, 40 participants from different universities and high schools of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah participated to gain insights on the cyber-physical security aspects of the biochips. Before the start of the workshop, the participants listened to the talks given by Dr. Navajit Singh Baban (Postdoctoral Associate) and Mr. Ajymurat Orozaliev (Research Engineer), who are involved in the project of Biochip Cyber-physical security. Post-lunch, the participants took part in a 24 hour hackathon where the central theme was to explore and suggest possible attack ideas that can compromise the biochips in a stealthy manner. The event was kindly supported by Prof. Ramesh Karri (Co-chair Center for Cyber Security NYU), Prof. Rafael (Yong-Ak) Song (NYUAD Program Head of Bioengineering) and Prof. Ozgur Sinanoglu (Director CCS NYUAD).
