Lab-on-a-chip: Fabrication and Frontiers Aiming at Biomedicines

Abstract

The adoption of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology has significantly influenced the integration and miniaturization of analytical procedures in the field of biomedicine. This chapter focuses on a thorough exploration of the fabrication methods used to advance LOC devices, with a significant focus on their applications and developments in biomedicine. Microfluidics allows precise fluid manipulation, whereas micro- and nanofabrication techniques enable the combination of several capabilities onto a single chip. LOC technology has versatile uses in personalized medicine, disease diagnostics, and drug development. High-throughput screening is facilitated by these instruments, which enable quick biomarker identification. Sensing technologies have made considerable strides, particularly in nanoparticle-based detection and biosensors. These developments have significantly enhanced analytical capabilities, enabling more accurate and precise measurements across various applications. Furthermore, the advancement of organ-on-a-chip technology has facilitated the mimicking of physiological environments, hence offering valuable contributions to the domains of drug testing and disease simulation. The use of LOC technology offers significant promise for the development of innovative biomedical devices, resulting in a substantial impact on the areas of drug discovery, disease detection, and personalized medicine, ultimately improving patient outcomes.