Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices are broadly used for research in the life sciences and diagnostics represent a very fast moving field. LOC designed, prototyped assembled using numerous strategies materials but some fundamental trends that these typically need to be (1) sealed, (2) supplied with liquids, reagents samples, (3) often interconnected electrical or microelectronic components. In general, closing connecting outside world miniature labs remain challenge irrespectively of type...

In this article, we review an important cytogenetic technique - fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) which is used for obtaining spatial genomic and transcriptomic information. FISH widely utilized cell biological research as well diagnostic applications preventive reproductive medicine, oncology. It the gold standard detection of chromosomal abnormalities. Despite high specificity possibility direct quantitative imaging, some its key limitations prevent regular use diagnostics. To...

Gas bubbles are almost a routine occurrence encountered by researchers working in the field of microfluidics. The spontaneous and unexpected nature gas represents major challenge for experimentalists stumbling block translation microfluidic concepts to commercial products. This is startling example successful scientific results overshadowing practical hurdles day-to-day usage. We however believe such can be overcome with sound understanding underlying conditions that lead bubble formation....

Performing localized chemical events on surfaces is critical for numerous applications. We earlier invented the microfluidic probe (MFP), which circumvented need to process samples in closed microchannels by hydrodynamically confining liquids that performed chemistries (Juncker et al. Nat. Mater. 2005, 4, 622-628). Here we present a new and versatile probe, vertical MFP (vMFP), operates scanning mode while overcoming challenges limited practical implementation of technology. The key...

We demonstrate a rapid and inexpensive approach for the fabrication of high resolution poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices. The complete process could be performed in several hours (or less) without any specialized equipment other than consumer-grade wax printer. channels produced by this method are enough quality that we able to sizing separation DNA fragments using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with no apparent loss over found glass chips fabricated conventional...

We present an inexpensive, portable and integrated microfluidic instrument that is optimized to perform genetic amplification analysis on a single sample. Biochemical reactions analytical separations for are performed within tri-layered glass–PDMS microchips. The microchip itself consists of pneumatically-actuated valves pumps fluid handling, thin-film resistive element acts simultaneously as heater temperature sensor, channels capillary electrophoresis (CE). platform comprised high voltage...

We present a novel assay for rapid detection and identification of bacterial urinary tract infections using isotachophoresis (ITP) molecular beacons. applied on-chip ITP to extract focus 16S rRNA directly from lysate used beacons achieve bacteria specific sequences. demonstrated E. coli in cultures as well patient urine samples the clinically relevant range 1E6–1E8 cfu/mL. For we further demonstrate quantification this range. The requires minimal sample preparation (a single centrifugation...

A flexible method to extract more high-quality information from tissue sections is critically needed for both drug discovery and clinical pathology. Here, we present micro-immunohistochemistry (μIHC), a staining at the micrometre scale. Nanolitres of antibody solutions are confined over micrometre-sized areas using vertical microfluidic probe (vMFP) their incubation with primary antibodies, key step in conventional IHC. The vMFP operates several micrometres above section, can be...

Abstract Heterogeneity is inherent to biology, thus it imperative realize methods capable of obtaining spatially-resolved genomic and transcriptomic profiles heterogeneous biological samples. Here, we present a new method for local lysis live adherent cells nucleic acid analyses. This addresses bottlenecks in current approaches, such as dilution analytes, one-sample-one-test incompatibility cells. We make use scanning probe technology - microfluidic implement hierarchical hydrodynamic flow...

Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) is a sensitive diagnostic tool used for the detection of alterations genome on cell-by-cell basis. However, cost-per-test and technical complexity current FISH protocols have slowed its widespread utilisation clinical settings. For many cancers, lack cost-effective informative method has compromised quality life patients. We present first demonstration microchip-based protocol, coupled with novel to immobilise peripheral blood mononuclear...

Microvalves are key in realizing portable miniaturized diagnostic platforms. We present a scalable microvalve that integrates well with standard lab on chip (LOC) implementations, yet which requires essentially no external infrastructure for its operation. This electrically controlled, phase-change is used to integrate genetic amplification and analysis viacapillary electrophoresis—the basis of many diagnostics. The actuated using polymer (polyethylene glycol, PEG) exhibits large volumetric...

We devised, implemented, and tested a new concept for efficient local surface chemistry that we call hierarchical hydrodynamic flow confinement (hierarchical HFC). This leverages the shaping of multiple layers liquid to address challenges inherent microscale chemistry, such as minimal dilution, economical consumption reagent, fast switching. illustrate two modes HFC, nested pinched, by locally denaturing recovering 26 bp DNA with little 2% dilution efficiently patterning an antibody on...

Surface assays, such as ELISA and immunofluorescence, are nothing short of ubiquitous in biotechnology medical diagnostics today. The development optimization these assays generally focuses on three aspects: immobilization chemistry, ligand–receptor interaction, concentrations ligands, buffers, sample. A fourth aspect, the transport analyte to surface, is more rarely delved into during assay design analysis. Improving limited agitation reagents, a mode flow generation inherently difficult...

The cost-effective detection of viral particles in bodily fluids could enable more effective responses to outbreaks, whether isolated clinical cases, or influenza epidemics. In renal transplant recipients, complications arising from high levels BK virus can lead graft dysfunction, loss, and/or reduced patient survival. We describe a microfluidic system for the sensitive analysis (viral load) unprocessed urine samples that are applied directly onto chip, thus avoiding labor-intensive...

We present an inexpensive hand-held device (240 g) that implements microchip isotachophoresis (ITP) with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. This self-contained instrument integrates the functionality required for high voltage generation onto a microelectronic chip, includes LIF detection and is powered by universal serial bus (USB) link connected to laptop computer. Using this we demonstrate focusing of fluorescent species limit 100 pM. show response detector linear initial analyte...

In the absence of amplification methods for proteins, immune-detection low-abundance proteins using antibodies is fundamentally limited by binding kinetic rates. Here, we present a new class surface-based immunoassays in which protein-antibody reaction accelerated isotachophoresis (ITP). We demonstrate use ITP to preconcentrate and deliver target surface decorated with specific antibodies, where effective utilization focused sample achieved modulating driving electric field (stop-and-diffuse...

The ability to move fluids at the microscale is core of many scientific and technological advancements. Despite its importance, flow control remains highly limited by use discrete channels mechanical valves, relies on fixed geometries. Here we present an alternative mechanism that leverages localized field-effect electroosmosis create dynamic patterns, allowing fluid manipulation without physical walls. We a set gate electrodes embedded in floor fluidic chamber using ac voltage sync with...

Multiplexed RNA in situ hybridization for the analysis of gene expression patterns plays an important role investigating development and disease. Here, we present a method multiplexed RNA-ISH to detect spatial tumor heterogeneity tissue sections. We made use microfluidic chip deliver ISH-probes locally regions few hundred micrometers over time periods tens minutes. This multiplexing can be combined with ISH-approaches based on signal amplification, bright field detection commonly used format...

We present a new methodology for efficient and high-quality patterning of biological reagents surface-based assays. The method relies on hydrodynamically confined nanoliter volumes to interact with the substrate at micrometer-length scale. study interplay between diffusion, advection, surface chemistry design noncontact scanning microfluidic device efficiently surfaces. By leveraging convective flows, recirculation, mixing processing liquid, this overcomes limitations existing biopatterning...