Themed collection Lab on a Chip Review Articles 2023
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Introduction to Lab on a Chip Reviews issue
Aaron R. Wheeler and Philippa Ross introduce the first Lab on a Chip Reviews issue.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 816-817
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LC90019C
Lab on a chip for a low-carbon future
We describe how lab-on-a-chip systems can help address challenges in: (I) carbon sequestration, (II) hydrogen storage, (III) geothermal energy extraction, (IV) bioenergy, (V) recovering critical materials, and (VI) water filtration and remediation.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1358-1375
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00020B
Conformational-switch biosensors as novel tools to support continuous, real-time molecular monitoring in lab-on-a-chip devices
We argue that the introduction of high-frequency, real-time biosensors into LoCs could be used to establish high-value feed-back control functionalities.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1339-1348
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00716A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Design of functional nanoparticles by microfluidic platforms as advanced drug delivery systems for cancer therapy
Nanoparticle systems are functional carriers that can be used in the cancer therapy field for the delivery of a variety of hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic drugs.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1389-1409
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00933A
Lessons from COVID-19 for improving diagnostic access in future pandemics
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed the critical and expanding roles of testing.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1376-1388
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00662F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Recent advances in gold electrode fabrication for low-resource setting biosensing
Conventional gold electrode fabrication is too costly and laborious for implementation in low-resource settings (LRS). We review affordable, simple alternative fabrication methods, highlighting gold leaf electrodes, for LRS applications.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1410-1419
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00552B
Will the next generation of chemical plants be in miniaturized flow reactors?
Will miniaturised flow reactors initiate a new paradigm for a more localized, safe and reliable chemical production to overcome current crises?
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1349-1357
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00796G
Opportunities and considerations for studying liver disease with microphysiological systems on a chip
We comprehensively review state of the art in liver microphysiological systems, as well as relevant diseases, highlighting numerous engineering challenges and open questions in the field of hepatology.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 2877-2898
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00940D
Digital detection of proteins
We review innovations in digital protein detection that has greatly improved the sensitivity of immunoassays and their impact on biomedicine.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 818-847
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00783E
Latest advances and perspectives of liquid biopsy for cancer diagnostics driven by microfluidic on-chip assays
We provide a comprehensive review of the strategies for integrating separation and detection units in microfluidic assays for liquid biopsy.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 2922-2941
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00837H
The next generation of hybrid microfluidic/integrated circuit chips: recent and upcoming advances in high-speed, high-throughput, and multifunctional lab-on-IC systems
This review discusses recent examples of labs-on-chip that use high-resolution, high-speed, and multifunctional electronic and photonic chips to expand the capabilities of conventional sample analysis.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 2553-2576
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC01163H
Recent advances in microfluidics for single-cell functional proteomics
This article covers exciting developments of recent microfluidics-based single-cell proteomics methods and their utilizations to tackle important biological questions for both basic and translational research.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1726-1751
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC01096H
Recent progress of nanostructure-based enrichment of circulating tumor cells and downstream analysis
This review introduces various in vitro and in vivo CTC enrichment technologies based on the characteristics of CTC and nanostructures and provides detailed information about the clinical applications of CTC.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1493-1523
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00890D
Recent progress in nucleic acid detection with CRISPR
Critical development of CRISPR-based diagnostics coupled with nucleic acid amplification and amplification-free techniques; various purposes of CRISPR diagnostics including determination, quantification, multiplexed and point-of-care diagnostics.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1467-1492
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00928E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Nanoparticle protein corona: from structure and function to therapeutic targeting
Representation of the influence of biological and nanoscale factors on protein corona conformation and function in a healthy versus a pathogenic biological environment.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1432-1466
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00799A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Acoustofluidics – changing paradigm in tissue engineering, therapeutics development, and biosensing
Acoustofluidic applications in biosciences; acoustic biosensing; acoustic trigger as a functional mechanical stimulus; cell separation and sorting; therapeutics development and delivery; cell patterning and assembly for tissue engineering.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1300-1338
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00439A
3D printed microfluidics: advances in strategies, integration, and applications
3D printed microfluidics is a rapidly developing field promising 3D devices, autonomous integration, multifunctional platforms, and novel applications. We review the recent progress in methodologies and applications for 3D printed microfluidics.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1279-1299
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC01177H
Advances in droplet digital polymerase chain reaction on microfluidic chips
This graphic includes droplet generation methods, thermal cycle strategies, signal counting approaches, and the applications in the fields of single-cell analysis, disease diagnosis, bacteria detection, and virus detection.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1258-1278
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00814A
Promise and perils of paper-based point-of-care nucleic acid detection for endemic and pandemic pathogens
Review work on the challenges of paper-based NAATs covering sample-to-answer procedures along with the three main types of clinical samples as well as broader operational, scale up, and regulatory aspects of device development and implementation.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 888-912
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00554A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Label-free microfluidic cell sorting and detection for rapid blood analysis
This review focuses on recent microfluidic technologies for label-free blood cell separation, detection and coupling with machine learning approaches.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1226-1257
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00904H
Recent advances in microfluidics-based bioNMR analysis
Microfluidics and NMR have their own specific features, and integration of the two approaches allows non-invasive and label-free analysis of biochemical samples.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1213-1225
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00876A
Organoids/organs-on-a-chip: new frontiers of intestinal pathophysiological models
Organoids/organs-on-a-chip contribute to mimicking intestinal surface topography, microenvironment, and various interactions, providing new frontiers of intestinal pathophysiological models.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1192-1212
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00804A
Digital microfluidics for biological analysis and applications
Digital microfluidic (DMF) bioassays with the benefits of automation, addressability, integration and dynamic configuration ability for nucleic acids, proteins, immunoreaction and cell analysis are presented in this review.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1169-1191
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00756H
Human mini-brains for reconstituting central nervous system disorders
In this review, we overview designs and applications of microfluidics-based human mini-brains for reconstituting CNS disorders and expanded model systems ranging from the CNS to CNS-connecting organ axes with future perspectives.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 964-981
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00897A
Surface modification for improving immunoassay sensitivity
In this review, we summarize the recent progress in surface modification strategies for improving the sensitivity of immunoassays, including antifouling coatings to reduce background noise and nanostructured surfaces to amplify the signals.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1151-1168
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00811D
Beyond biology: alternative uses of cantilever-based technologies
Microcantilever-based platforms are presented as versatile lab-on-chip devices for advanced applications spanning from material characterization and environmental monitoring to energy.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1128-1150
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00873D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Applications of magnetic and electromagnetic forces in micro-analytical systems
This review summarizes the recent attractive developments in the application of magnetic and electromagnetic forces in micro-analytical systems.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1097-1127
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00702A
Recent methods of droplet microfluidics and their applications in spheroids and organoids
This review provides an overview of recent advances in droplet microfluidics for the formation and manipulation of spheroids and organoids, as well as their downstream applications in high-throughput screening and tissue engineering.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1080-1096
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00493C
Microneedle-based transdermal detection and sensing devices
This review summarizes state-of-the-art microneedle-based detection and sensing systems, highlighting the objective significance, sensing principles, systematic construction, and validation models of these microneedles.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 869-887
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00790H
Microfluidic solutions for biofluids handling in on-skin wearable systems
The paper provides a comprehensive review on micro elastofluidic solutions for on-skin wearable devices.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 913-937
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00993E
A review on microrobots driven by optical and magnetic fields
This review covers the working mechanisms, recent progress and state-of-the-art applications of microrobots driven by optical and magnetic fields.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 848-868
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00573E
Microwell array chip-based single-cell analysis
This review summarizes microwell array chip-based single-cell analysis of versatile biomolecules including nucleic acids, proteins and metabolites.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1066-1079
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00667G
Fluidics for energy harvesting: from nano to milli scales
This review summarizes recent works of water-based energy harvesting systems of triboelectric energy and osmotic energy with operation scales ranging from miniature systems to large scale attempts.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1034-1065
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00946C
Optofluidic imaging meets deep learning: from merging to emerging
We discuss the recent trends in integrating deep-learning (DL) and optofluidic imaging. A holistic understanding of them could incentivize DL-powered optofluidic imaging for advancing a wide range of novel applications in science and biomedicine.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 1011-1033
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00813K
A critical review of microfluidic systems for CRISPR assays
We review recent advances in CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection using microfluidic devices and discuss the capabilities, limitations, and potential of this emerging technology.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 938-963
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00852A
Recent microfluidic advances in submicron to nanoparticle manipulation and separation
This paper comprehensively studies the latest progress in microfluidic technology for submicron and nanoparticle manipulation by elaborating on the physics, device design, working mechanism and applications of microfluidic technologies.
Lab Chip, 2023,23, 982-1010
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00793B
About this collection
This themed collection features recent review articles published in Lab on a Chip.