Microfluidics in macro-biomolecules analysis: macro inside in a nano world

Abstract

Use of microfluidic devices in the life sciences and medicine has created the possibility of performing investigations at the molecular level. Moreover, microfluidic devices are also part of the technological framework that has enabled a new type of scientific information to be revealed, i.e. that based on intensive screening of complete sets of gene and protein sequences. A deeper bioanalytical perspective may provide quantitative and qualitative tools, enabling study of various diseases and, eventually, may offer support for the development of accurate and reliable methods for clinical assessment. This would open the way to molecule-based diagnostics, i.e. establish accurate diagnosis and disease prognosis based on identification and/or quantification of biomacromolecules, for example proteins or nucleic acids. Finally, the development of disposable and portable devices for molecule-based diagnosis would provide the perfect translation of the science behind life-science research into practical applications dedicated to patients and health practitioners. This review provides an analytical perspective of the impact of microfluidics on the detection and characterization of bio-macromolecules involved in pathological processes. The main features of molecule-based diagnostics and the specific requirements for the diagnostic devices are discussed. Further, the techniques currently used for testing bio-macromolecules for potential diagnostic purposes are identified, emphasizing the newest developments. Subsequently, the challenges of this type of application and the status of commercially available devices are highlighted, and future trends are noted.

Microfluidic Chemical Analysis Systems

“…Furthermore, processes in microfluidic systems are conducted at scales more relevant to biological conditions (e.g., the volume of a single cell), and highly parallel chips processing large numbers of samples can be constructed easily (144). In recent years, there has been significant advancement in the development and implementation of high-density microfluidic chips for a diverse range of applications in biological and chemical analysis, and in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases (145). The general trend continues toward a μTAS in which the system performs sampling, sample preparation and transport, chemical reactions, and detection in a single, miniaturized platform (146).…”

Cell-Specific Aptamers for Nano-medical Applications

“…As mentioned previously, the number of circulating cancer cells is low in cancer patients who are in the early state of disease (Oita et al 2010). Thus, new techniques need to be developed for efficient capturing and enriching of cancer cells and their subsequent sensitive detection.…”

Separation of nanoparticles by a nano-orifice based DC-dielectrophoresis method in a pressure-driven flow

“…LOC systems bring miniaturization, parallelization, and integration to the analyses and applications in chemical, biological and clinical fields [4][5][6] . One of the crucial applications is the continuous and accurate manipulation of microparticles and nanoparticles [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] , such as bacteria [16][17][18] , protein [19][20][21] , DNA 22 , virus [23][24][25] and cells [26][27][28] .…”