title: Recent advances in low-cost microfluidic platforms for diagnostic applications.
abstract: The use of inexpensive materials and cost-effective manufacturing processes for mass production of microfluidic devices is very attractive and has spurred a variety of approaches. Such devices are particularly suited for diagnostic applications in limited resource settings. This review describes the recent and remarkable advances in the use of low-cost substrates for the development of microfluidic devices for diagnostics and clinical assays. Thus, a plethora of new and improved fabrication methods, designs, capabilities, detections, and applications of microfluidic devices fabricated with paper, plastic, and threads are covered.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia-GO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Bioanalítica, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wendell Karlos
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Tomazelli Coltro
authors.forename: Chao-Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Emanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carrilho
authors.forename: Dosil Pereira
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: de Jesus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010209:Paper; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000191:economics*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010969:Plastics
keywords: Bioassays; Clinical assays; Paper-based microfluidic devices; Plastic substrates; Point-of-care; Thread