Microfluidic Biosensors (Lab-on-a-Chip)

Microfluidic biosensors, sometimes referred to as Lab-on-a-Chip systems, are miniature analytical instruments that use micro-scale fluid channels to combine one or more laboratory processes, including sample preparation, mixing, reaction, and detection, onto a single chip. These platforms are very effective and economical because they allow for the precise handling of small liquid volumes, frequently in the nanoliter to picoliter range. Microfluidic biosensors can detect biomolecules like pathogens, DNA/RNA, proteins, and metabolites quickly, sensitively, and multiplexedly when paired with biosensing components (such as enzymes, antibodies, and nucleic acids).

They are perfect for on-site food safety testing, environmental monitoring, and point-of-care diagnostics due to their portability, low reagent consumption, and quick analysis time. The development of next-generation diagnostic tools for individualized and remote healthcare is also being fueled by the integration of microfluidics with cutting-edge technologies like electrochemical sensing, fluorescence detection, and smartphone-based readouts.