Microfluidics and the life sciences.
The field of microfluidics, often also referred to as "Lab-on-a-Chip" has made significant progress in the last 15 years and is an essential tool in the development of new products and protocols in the life sciences. This article provides a broad overview on the developments on the academic as well as the commercial side. Fabrication technologies for polymer-based devices are presented and a strategy for the development of complex integrated devices is discussed, together with an example on the use of these devices in pathogen detection.
ChipShop GmbH, Stockholmer Str. 20, D-07747 Jena, Germany. hb@microfluidic-chipshop.com
Holger
H
Becker
Claudia
C
Gärtner
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*; D004867:Equipment Design; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*