Microfluidics as a promising technology for personalized medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the recent advances in biomedicine and the increasing understanding of the molecular mechanism of diseases, healthcare approaches have tended towards preventive and personalized medicine. Consequently, in recent decades, the utilization of interdisciplinary technologies such as microfluidic systems had a significant increase to provide more accurate high throughput diagnostic/therapeutic methods. Methods: In this article, we will review a summary of innovations in microfluidic technologies toward improving personalized biomolecular diagnostics, drug screening, and therapeutic strategies. Results: Microfluidic systems by providing a controllable space for fluid flow, three-dimensional growth of cells, and miniaturization of molecular experiments are useful tools in the field of personalization of health and treatment. These conditions have enabled the potential to carry out studies like; disease modeling, drug screening, and improving the accuracy of diagnostic methods. Conclusion: Microfluidic devices have become promising point-of-care (POC) and personalized medicine instruments due to their ability to perform diagnostic tests with small sample volumes, cost reduction, high resolution, and automation.