Enhancement in the limit of detection of lab‐on‐chip microfluidic devices using functional nanomaterials

Abstract

Technological developments in recent years have witnessed a paradigm shift towards lab‐on‐chip devices for various diagnostic applications. Lab‐on‐chip technology integrates several functions typically performed in a large‐scale analytical laboratory on a small‐scale platform. These devices are more than the miniaturized versions of conventional analytical and diagnostic techniques. The advances in fabrication techniques, material sciences, surface modification strategies, and their integration with microfluidics and chemical and biological‐based detection mechanisms have enormously enhanced the capabilities of these devices. The minuscule sample and reagent requirements, capillary‐driven pump‐free flows, faster transport phenomena, and ease of integration with various signal readout mechanisms make these platforms apt for use in resource‐limited settings, especially in developing and underdeveloped parts of the world. The microfluidic lab‐on‐a‐chip technology offers a promising approach to developing cost‐effective and sustainable point‐of‐care testing applications. Numerous merits of this technology have attracted the attention of researchers to develop low‐cost and rapid diagnostic platforms in human healthcare, veterinary medicine, food quality testing, and environmental monitoring. However, one of the major challenges associated with these devices is their limited sensitivity or the limit of detection. The use of functional nanomaterials in lab‐on‐chip microfluidic devices can improve the limit of detection by enhancing the signal‐to‐noise ratio, increasing the capture efficiency, and providing capabilities for devising novel detection schemes. This review presents an overview of state‐of‐the‐art techniques for integrating functional nanomaterials with microfluidic devices and discusses the potential applications of these devices in various fields.

Emerging Applications of Nanotechnology in Healthcare and Medicine

“…Nanotechnology and Lab-on-Chip Technology have revolutionized the field of healthcare by offering innovative solutions for disease diagnosis, personalized treatment, and drug delivery [ 15 ]. The combination of these two technologies has led to the development of advanced diagnostic tools that are faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective than traditional diagnostic methods [ 30 ].…”

“…The combination of these two technologies has led to the development of advanced diagnostic tools that are faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective than traditional diagnostic methods [ 30 ]. Lab-on-Chip technology is making progress in different fields of science; for example, it is being considered for use against viral and cancerous diseases [ 15 , 24 ]. The whole process revolves around analyzing genetic information at the cellular level [ 30 ].…”

“…Liposomal nanoparticles although initially promising for drug delivery, have faced challenges due to their size variability and instability, leading to a limited clinical translation. [15,16,35] 2.…”

“…Forty years of revolutionary interaction among biology, medicine, and nanotechnology have led to present-day nano-biotechnology, which is now showing progressive application in multiple aspects of the medical field [ 14 ]. From disease detection to treatment, many medical issues such as disease diagnosis, drug discovery, personalized medical procedures, cancer treatment, pharmaceutical discoveries, as well as the latest medical tools and procedures, are now improving on the uses of nano-biotechnology [ 15 ]. Similar to regular vaccination approval, nano-based medicine and nanovaccines are also obtaining regular medical approval with the passage of time.…”

“…Nanomedicine is a broad-spectrum field of science and technology that unites multiple streams of medical applications such as disease treatment and diagnosis, disease prevention, pain relieving technologies, human health improvement medicine, nanoscale technology against traumatic injury, and treatment options for diseases [ 12 , 15 ]. Thus, an interdisciplinary approach is being adopted to apply the outcomes of biotechnology, nanomaterials, biomedical robotics, and genetic engineering combined under the broad category of nanomedicine [ 17 ].…”