Microfluidics-Based Analysis in Clinical Diagnosis
Inquiry
With the rapid development of biological research in recent years, more and more new analysis and inspection equipment have been applied to medical research fields. At present, microfluidic systems have become a powerful tool for biological analysis. The entire analysis scheme including sample pretreatment, sample/reagent processing, separation, reaction and detection can be integrated into a single chip platform. Creative Biolabs has built an advanced microfluidic technology platform with several advantages such as miniaturization, automation, sensitivity and specificity. Our scientists are dedicated to proving the most suitable solution to meet your clinical diagnosis requirements.
Microfluidic System and Clinical Diagnosis
Microfluidic systems, also known as chip labs, biochips or micro-full analysis systems, have rapidly evolved from early single-channel devices to current complex analysis systems. Diagnostic procedures on microfluidic chips can generally be performed automatically, including sample pretreatment, sample/reagent processing, separation, reaction, and detection, providing a complete solution from sample application to analysis result display. Due to the two significant advantages of miniaturization and automation, microfluidic systems can achieve lower analysis costs, lower power consumption, less sample/reagent consumption and reduce the risk of contamination. In addition, the portability of microfluidic systems becomes realizable for the point-of-care diagnostic devices.
Fig.1 Microfluidic devices for biomarker, human cell, bacteria, and virus detection. Each panel
contains some representative devices reviewed within this section.1,3
Microfluidic Clinical Diagnosis Application
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Microfluidics-Based Analysis in Pathogen Detection
In the field of clinical diagnosis and food safety management, rapid detection and identification of microorganisms is an urgent issue. Durable and durable diagnostic equipment that can quickly provide pathogen information will help reduce mortality, hospitalization, and timely isolation in the case of infectious pathogens. However, traditional methods are cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming, making it difficult to meet the needs. Now, Creative Biolabs’ chip-based technologies (such as microarrays and microfluidic biochips) provide a true alternative that can fill this technological gap. In particular, microfluidic biochips enable the development of rapid, sensitive, and portable diagnostic tools, and are expected to detect various pathogens quickly and accurately.
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Microfluidics-Based Analysis in Cancer Detection
Malignant tumors are currently one of the main threats to human health, but early detection can effectively alleviate tumor mortality. However, early tumors are generally difficult to observe directly, and advanced diagnostic tools are needed for immediate diagnosis of cancer. To date, Liquid biopsies are of great interest because of their non-invasive sampling of tumor tissues and the ability to continuously assess disease through simple blood draws during treatment. Among the leading technologies for developing liquid biopsy solutions, microfluidic technology has recently emerged. Creative Biolabs provides a cell separation and analysis platform based on microfluidic technology, which can achieve high throughput, high sensitivity and specificity, low sample volume and reagent cost, and precise liquid control capabilities. These characteristics make microfluidic technology a promising tool for separating and analyzing circulating tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring.
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Microfluidics-Based Analysis in Molecular Diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2
To date, a range of immunoassay methods, including fluorescent immunoassay, chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, have been successfully integrated into the microfluidic system, providing a simple and flexible option for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2.
If you want to inquire more about our microfluidics-based analysis services, please contact us.
Published Data
The following are results highlighted in articles related to the microfluidic-based analysis in clinical diagnosis.
1. Rapid quantitative analysis of G6PD and hemoglobin on a microfluidic chip
Fig. 2 Schematic of microfluidic chip for G6PD and hemoglobin testing.2,3
Rapid tests for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) play a critical role in the assessment of G6PD deficiency, which is a common metabolic disorder. A novel solution to this issue comes in the form of a capillary-driven microfluidic chip designed for rapid and quantitative testing of G6PD levels, as well as hemoglobin measurement. This innovative chip requires as little as 2 μL of blood sample and can deliver results in just 2 minutes. The microfluidic chip operates with two distinct flow paths: one for measuring the concentration of hemoglobin and the other for detecting G6PD levels. For hemoglobin measurement, a lysed blood sample fills a capillary pump, which controls the volume and guides the sample through the chip for absorbance analysis. For G6PD detection, the chip integrates reagents within a self-coalescence module (SCM). This module utilizes a unique dispensing method to arrange the solutions in an alternating pattern, allowing for the uniform suspension of reagents in specific regions of the microchannel. As a result, the chip enables precise quantitative testing for G6PD along with the ability to perform positive and negative controls in parallel, all on the same device.
References
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Campbell, J, M., et al. Microfluidic and paper-based devices for disease detection and diagnostic research. International journal of molecular sciences. 2018, 19(9): 2731.
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Rocca, Marco, et al. "Rapid quantitative assays for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and hemoglobin combined on a capillary-driven microfluidic chip." Lab on a Chip 21.18 (2021): 3573-3582.
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Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.
