Themed collection Lab on a Chip HOT Articles 2022
Inertial microfluidics: current status, challenges, and future opportunities
We present the current status, challenges, and future opportunities of inertial microfluidics.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4792-4804
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00722C
Engineering a sustainable future for point-of-care diagnostics and single-use microfluidic devices
Single-use, disposable, point-of-care diagnostic devices carry great promise for global health, but present some challenges in terms of environmental sustainability. This perspective covers solutions to embed sustainability at the R&D and product development stages.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3122-3137
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00380E
Radiotherapy on-chip: microfluidics for translational radiation oncology
Current applications of radiotherapy on-a-chip in radiation physics and radiobiology and perspectives in translational radiobiology for cancer treatment.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2065-2079
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00177B
Lab on a chip devices for fertility: from proof-of-concept to clinical impact
This perspective provides an overview of microfluidics for fertility efforts with a particular focus on clinical applications and commercialization.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1680-1689
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC01144H
Cell-based biocomposite engineering directed by polymers
Polymer chemistry can direct the fusion of biological cells and functional materials. This review introduces the recent progress in polymer-directed engineering of advanced cell-based biocomposites with augmented functionality.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1042-1067
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00067A
Electrically-driven handling of gametes and embryos: taking a step towards the future of ARTs
Electric fields in in vitro processing of gametes and embryos: dielectrophoresis (DEP) and electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD).
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1852-1875
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC01160J
Microscale hydrodynamic confinements: shaping liquids across length scales as a toolbox in life sciences
A review-tutorial focusing on applications and theory behind hydrodynamic confinements (HFCs) across flow regimes and geometries – in closed channels, between parallel plates and in open volume. A further focus on chemical reactions enabled by HFCs.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1415-1437
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC01101D
Non-invasive biomedical sensors for early detection and monitoring of bacterial biofilm growth at the point of care
This comprehensive review covers current methods used for biofilm detection in clinical and laboratory settings and noninvasive portable technologies for direct and indirect detection of biofilm growth and monitoring at the point of care.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4758-4773
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00776B
Flow lithography for structured microparticles: fundamentals, methods and applications
This critical review presents flow lithography-based particle fabrication methods, describes fundamental physicochemical concepts, discusses applications of particles and highlights potential future research directions.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4007-4042
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00421F
A review of optoelectrowetting (OEW): from fundamentals to lab-on-a-smartphone (LOS) applications to environmental sensors
This article reviews the fundamentals of the optoelectrowetting (OEW) technology, discusses its research progress, limitations, technological innovations, and finally introduces its emergence as portable smartphone-integrated environmental sensors.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3987-4006
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00372D
Blood–brain barrier (BBB)-on-a-chip: a promising breakthrough in brain disease research
This review summarizes recent advances of the integration between BBB-on-a-chip (μBBB) technology and brain disease modeling. It provides a guideline to extend their applications in pathological research, drug development, and personalized medicine.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3579-3602
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00305H
Emerging micro-nanotechnologies for extracellular vesicles in immuno-oncology: from target specific isolations to immunomodulation
In this paper, we summarized the recent advances in cell specific EV isolation, engineering and their potential applications in immune-oncology along with suggested areas of study necessary to bring EVs into clinical practice.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3314-3339
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00232A
Machine learning for microfluidic design and control
In this review article, we surveyed the applications of machine learning in microfluidic design and microfluidic control.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2925-2937
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00254J
Liver organ-on-chip models for toxicity studies and risk assessment
This review provides an overview of liver organ-on-chip (OoC) technology, including the general concept, different approaches and recent advances. A particular focus is given to the use of liver OoC in toxicity studies and risk assessment.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2423-2450
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00307D
Microfluidics and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, a win–win combination?
With the continuous development in nanoscience and nanotechnology, analytical techniques like surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) render structural and chemical information of a variety of analyte molecules in ultra-low concentration.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 665-682
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC01097B
Microfluidic quantum sensing platform for lab-on-a-chip applications
A microfluidic platform for solid-state quantum sensing, enabling the measurement of various physical quantities for lab-on-a-chip applications.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4831-4840
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00874B
Computer vision enabled funnel adapted sensing tube (FAST) for power-free and pipette-free nucleic acid detection
A simple, portable, and low-cost microfluidic system-funnel adapted sensing tube (FAST) is developed as an integrated, power-free, and pipette-free biosensor for viral nucleic acids.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4849-4859
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00586G
Dual-function microneedle array for efficient photodynamic therapy with transdermal co-delivered light and photosensitizers
A dual-function microneedle array was developed to co-delivery photosensitizers and light for photodynamic therapy.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4521-4530
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00505K
Automated device for multi-stage paper-based assays enabled by an electroosmotic pumping valve
Valving mechanism based on electroosmotic-flow bursting of a hydrophobic barrier to enable the performance of multi-step assays on paper-based devices.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4511-4520
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00572G
Rapid prototyping of functional acoustic devices using laser manufacturing
We present a simple method for manufacturing a functional acoustic device for biomanipulation. This method utilizes laser cutting to achieve high efficiency for rapid prototyping.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4327-4334
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00725H
You will know by its tail: a method for quantification of heterogeneity of bacterial populations using single-cell MIC profiling
Severe non-healing infections are often caused by multiple pathogens or by genetic variants of the same pathogen exhibiting different levels of antibiotic resistance.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4317-4326
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00234E
Non-adhesive contrast substrate for single-cell trapping and Raman spectroscopic analysis
Droplet splitting by exploiting tailored surface wettability is emerging as an important pathway to creating ultralow volumes of samples that can have applications in bioassays, tissue engineering, protein chips, and material synthesis.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 4110-4117
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00665K
Cell marathon: long-distance cell migration and metastasis-associated gene analysis using a folding paper system
A folding paper system was developed to mimic a tumor–vascular interface for the study of long-distance cell migration.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3827-3836
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00663D
Size-selective filtration of extracellular vesicles with a movable-layer device
This paper presents a microfluidic device that can isolate extracellular vesicles (EVs) with multiple size intervals in a simple, effective, and automated manner.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3699-3707
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00441K
Ultra-rapid real-time microfluidic RT-PCR instrument for nucleic acid analysis
The described microfluidic instrument performs real-time PCR (40 cycles) with comparable sensitivity to commercial instrumentation in under 10 minutes.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3424-3435
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00495J
A sample-to-answer, quantitative real-time PCR system with low-cost, gravity-driven microfluidic cartridge for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, and human papillomavirus 16/18
We present a low-cost microfluidic cartridge design scheme that combines gravity-driven passive microfluidic pumping with extraction-free amplification to achieve “sample-in, answer-out” point-of-care nucleic acid detection within 30 minutes.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3436-3452
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00434H
Adipose microtissue-on-chip: a 3D cell culture platform for differentiation, stimulation, and proteomic analysis of human adipocytes
In this study, we developed a microfluidic large-scale integration chip platform to automate longitudinal 3D cell culture studies. Proteome analysis of on chip cultured adipocytes under changing glucose conditions revealed metabolic stress profiles.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 3172-3186
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00245K
Parallel multistep digital analysis SlipChip demonstrated with the quantification of nucleic acid by digital LAMP-CRISPR
A parallel multistep digital analysis SlipChip for the parallel manipulation of a large number of droplets for digital biological analysis.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2954-2961
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00284A
Intelligent nanoscope for rapid nanomaterial identification and classification
Microspheres array based intelligent nanoscope processed data collection for deep learning training. The trained convolutional neural network model classified the different sizes of nanoparticle samples.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2978-2985
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00206J
High-throughput digital pathology via a handheld, multiplexed, and AI-powered ptychographic whole slide scanner
The handheld, do-it-yourself ptychographic whole slide scanner for high-throughput digital pathology applications.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2657-2670
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00084A
Micro-PCR chip-based multifunctional ultrafast SARS-CoV-2 detection platform
By using different customized microfluidic chips, a multifunctional rapid PCR platform allows fast screening of suspected cases within 15 min, followed by rapidly providing precise quantification of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2671-2681
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00101B
A reconfigurable microfluidic building block platform for high-throughput nonhormonal contraceptive screening
A reconfigurable microfluidic building block platform for high throughput drug screening.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2531-2539
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00424K
Microfluidic harvesting of breast cancer tumor spheroid-derived extracellular vesicles from immobilized microgels for single-vesicle analysis
A novel microfluidic system for the low-volume harvesting of extracellular vesicles from breast cancer tumor spheroids encapsulated within immobilized hydrogel microbioreactors for downstream single-vesicle analyses.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2502-2518
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC01053K
Glass-patternable notch-shaped microwave architecture for on-chip spin detection in biological samples
This on-chip device realizes large-area and predictable spin detection of fluorescent nanodiamonds, providing a scalable platform for quantum-sensor-based bioassay.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2519-2530
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00112H
Laser particle activated cell sorting in microfluidics
A microfluidic device is developed that uses the narrowband optical radiation of laser particle barcodes to sort tagged cells.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2343-2351
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00235C
Immunomagnetic leukocyte differential in whole blood on an electronic microdevice
A cartridge-based, disposable magnetophoretic cytometer testing 3-part leukocyte differentials for point-of-care or self-testing applications.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2331-2342
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00137C
Systematic characterization of effect of flow rates and buffer compositions on double emulsion droplet volumes and stability
Measured double emulsion droplet sizes across hundreds of flow rate and surfactant conditions parameterize core/shell volumes and droplet stability.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2315-2330
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00229A
From saliva to SNP: non-invasive, point-of-care genotyping for precision medicine applications using recombinase polymerase amplification and giant magnetoresistive nanosensors
We present a portable, highly integrated platform that employs isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification and giant magnetoresistive nanosensors to perform multiplex SNP genotyping at the point-of-care.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 2131-2144
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00233G
A tripodal wheeled mobile robot driven by a liquid metal motor
An 8-shaped tripodal wheeled mobile robot utilizing liquid metal motors as the core driving part is proposed herein. This robot can achieve three types of driving functions on a two-dimensional plane via wireless control.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1943-1950
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00267A
Controllable high-performance liquid marble micromixer
A high-performance micromixer based on rolling liquid marble.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1508-1518
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00017B
Rheotaxis quality index: a new parameter that reveals male mammalian in vivo fertility and low sperm DNA fragmentation
Rheotaxis plays a crucial role in sperm navigation through the female reproductive tract. By mimicking the structure of the uterotubal junction, we provide a new method of sperm quality assessment.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1486-1497
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00150K
Antibody mediated cotton-archetypal substrate for enumeration of circulating tumor cells and chemotherapy outcome in 3D tumors
A surface modified cotton-based biomedical matrix has been designed for the controlled in vitro 3D tumor expansion of captured cancer cells to investigate anti-cancer drug efficacy and multi-drug resistance (MDR) mechanisms.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1519-1530
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00004K
Multi-parametric functional imaging of cell cultures and tissues with a CMOS microelectrode array
A CMOS-MEA device combined with new impedance and electrochemical techniques measures cell attachment, growth/wound healing, cell–cell adhesion, metabolic state, and redox properties with single-cell spatial resolution for cell-biology applications.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1286-1296
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC00878A
Vasculature-on-a-chip platform with innate immunity enables identification of angiopoietin-1 derived peptide as a therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2 induced inflammation
Microfluidic polymeric blood vessel captures the adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 on vasculature and enables identification of a therapeutic peptide that abolished virus induced cytokine storm orchestrated by the immune cells.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1171-1186
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC00817J
Accelerated protein digestion and separation with picoliter volume utilizing nanofluidics
Integrated device for protein digestion, peptide separation and UV-detection on a femtoliter to picoliter volume based on micro/nanofluidics.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1162-1170
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC00923K
Rapid cell pairing and fusion based on oscillating bubbles within an acoustofluidic device
An acoustofluidic device based on oscillating bubbles was designed to rapidly pair and fuse cells with no limitation of cell size. The cell pairing rate reached 90% within 40 ms and fused cells kept biological functions.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 921-927
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC01074C
Pairing cells of different sizes in a microfluidic device for immunological synapse monitoring
A cell pairing method is developed to monitor immunological synapses formed by single cells with different sizes.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 908-920
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC01156A
Traffic light type paper-based analytical device for intuitive and semi-quantitative naked-eye signal readout
By simply applying a sample, the traffic light type μPAD enables highly intuitive equipment-free naked-eye readout with no need for calibration, subjective interpretation or calculation.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 717-726
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC01060C
Point-of-care blood coagulation assay enabled by printed circuit board-based digital microfluidics
Using printed circuit board-based digital microfluidics, a point-of-care blood coagulation assay was developed to simultaneously assess the clotting tendency and the stiffness of the resultant blood clot.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 709-716
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC00981H
Bubble-enhanced ultrasonic microfluidic chip for rapid DNA fragmentation
We present a new bubble-enhanced microfluidic approach for highly efficient DNA fragmentation, suitable for next generation sequencing platforms. Improved on-chip performance arises from acoustic streaming generated by oscillating bubble interfaces.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 560-572
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC00933H
Investigating the mechanotransduction of transient shear stress mediated by Piezo1 ion channel using a 3D printed dynamic gravity pump
This work describes a 3D printed dynamic gravity pump for studying the response of mechanoresponsive cells expressing Piezo1 ion channels under transient flows.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 262-271
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC00927C
Engineering a deformation-free plastic spiral inertial microfluidic system for CHO cell clarification in biomanufacturing
A deformation-free and mass-producible plastic spiral inertial microfluidic device was developed, which provides continuous, clogging-free, and industry-level-throughput cell manipulation.
Lab Chip, 2022,22, 272-285
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1LC00995H
About this collection
This themed collection features articles published in Lab on a Chip marked as HOT by the handling editor or as recommended by referees. Congratulations to all the authors whose articles are featured.