Themed collection Microfluidics Research 2015-2016

The combination of nano/microfabrication-based technologies with cell biology has laid the foundation for facilitating the spatiotemporal analysis of single cells under well-defined physiologically relevant conditions.

This mini-review discusses recent advances in electrochemical paper-based analytical devices with an emphasis on applications of traditional electrochemical methods.

Microdroplet-based protein crystallisation using spontaneous emulsification is proposed and demonstrated. The dependency of crystal number in a single microdroplet on the surfactant concentration is discussed.

A miniaturized detection system for chemiluminescence that is generated on a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) was developed using optical fibers and was applied to the determination of Cr(III).

The ability to detect antibodies that are generated during an immune response is integral to the diagnosis and monitoring of infections.

We present a microfluidic aptamer-based biosensor for detection of low-molecular-weight biomarkers in patient samples.

A μFIA-TLM method is developed for high throughput (over ten samples per min) and sensitive analysis of sub-microliter nonfluorescent samples in flowing mediums.

A sensitive label-free and contactless impedance immunosensor is developed for the real-time interaction investigation between a cancer biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and its antibody CEA 5909. The immunosensor is proved to have a specific binding process between CEA and CEA 5909 with a detection limit of 100 fg mL⁻¹ in PBS.

A novel method for online monitoring of ethanol concentration has been proposed by successfully developing an ethanol-responsive microfluidic membrane device.

By the integration of multiple deterministic lateral displacement arrays of specific depths we present a simple-to-use diagnostics device, actuated by a simple syringe, aimed at point-of-care detection of blood parasites.

Digital droplet LAMP is performed on a disposable chip (DropChip) with the size of a microscope slide using only standard laboratory devices.

We fabricated a NOA81 PCR chip (NP-chip) and first proposed a simple BSA coating method to successfully overcome the low PCR efficiency induced by the inhibition of the NP-chip which seriously impacted its application in the area of gene amplification.

We describe the use of a RepRap 3D printer to fabricate microfluidic devices for direct spray ionization mass spectrometry assisted by paper tips.

This study reports the first demonstration of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a microfluidic device that was fabricated in a three-dimensional (3D) printer.

A wearable device for real-time monitoring of sodium levels in sweat is presented.

On-chip sample processing is integral to the continued development of lab-on-a-chip devices for various applications. We have demonstrated an active microfluidic mixer using ionic electroactive polymer actuators as artificial cilia.

We present a microfluidic droplet-based approach that can easily produce different shapes of cell aggregates in Ca-alginate microparticles by changing alginate and CaCl₂ concentrations.

A new method involving a thread-based microfluidic three channel device in combination with thermal lens detection was developed for the sequential determination of Cu(II) and Zn(II).

Inertial microfluidics are used to continuously separate non-motile sperm from blood and other contaminants.

Colorimetric detection of morphine on a 6 channel paper microfluidic device.

Paper microfluidic devices were explored to perform the colorimetric determination of nitrite in saliva, sausage, ham, preservative water and river water samples with no statistical difference from a reference method.

Cell collection based on deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) and cell circulation with a loop channel are two component technologies for stressless cell retention which have been developed with a view to working toward suspension culture in a microfluidic channel.

This paper describes a small molecule signal amplification reagent and an assay strategy that incorporates in situ signal amplification with minimal production of background signal.

Selective capture of microorganisms is an effective and rapid technique for microbe detection.

We assessed a microfluidic method of sperm selection.

This study has demonstrated, for the first time, a microfluidic autonomous analyser for the direct determination of nitrate, incorporating a modified version of the chromotropic method resulting in a direct, quick, inexpensive and simple procedure to measure nitrate in situ.

A new method of fabricating all-polystyrene devices with integrated electrodes and fluidic tubing is described.

Thermoelectric lab-on-a-chip ELISA is a novel method performing immunoassays by measuring the heat of the enzymatic reaction between enzyme-linked detection antibody and a substrate using a thin-film thermopile.

Counterfeit and substandard medicines are a grave public health concern that comprises a multibillion-dollar black market and claims over 100 000 lives every year.

Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) has played a major role in biological research, especially by providing an accurate counting of single nucleic acid molecules.

We have developed a fully printable paperfluidic chip for monitoring oral health.

A microfluidic device combining bipolar electrode phenomenon and end-labeled free-solution electrophoresis for concurrent preconcentration and separation of DNA samples.

In this work, a polystyrene (PS)–polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hybrid device was developed to enable the integration of cell culture with analysis by microchip electrophoresis and electrochemical detection.

An injected air bubble serves as a reproducible mechanism to modify laminar flow conditions during single cell inoculation.

In this paper the development of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) is described for the rapid, on-site detection of improvised explosives.

The goal of this work is to develop a stable nanospray chip–MS interface that contains easily integrated electrodes and an embedded capillary emitter to mitigate current chip–MS problems.

We present a lab-on-a-chip and associated instrument for heterogeneous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based detection of proteins from liquid samples.