Microsystems for personalized biomolecular diagnostics

Abstract

The development of microfluidic methodology that can be used in conjunction with drug screening and biomolecular diagnostics offers a route to evidence‐based personalized medical care. Ideally, all personal diagnostics are best carried out in a rapid and frequent manner and a microfluidic interface can provide appropriate methodology. The ability to perform genetic analysis or biomarker detection at point‐of‐care would allow the clinician to decide on the most informed course of treatment. Microfluidic systems for biomolecular analysis at all levels, from genes to whole tissue biopsies, have been proposed. Much of the work presented here is at an early stage of development but will consider the range of design considerations together with the plethora of potential applications of integrated microfluidic technology.

RETRACTED: Biomedical microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS): Revolution in drug delivery and analytical techniques

“…The field of microfluidics is gaining popularity in drug discovery, development and personalized biomolecular diagnostics due to their ability to provide fluid flow in the physiological range. Moreover, microfluidics offers spatial and temporal fluidic control in a biomimetic environment enabling long-term cell culture and differentiation (Shaw et al, 2011). Thus, microfluidics is becoming an integral part of the cell-based assays to predict oral drug absorption.…”

Integrated RNA extraction and RT-PCR for semi-quantitative gene expression studies on a microfluidic device

“…First, multiple experiments could be carried out on a single biopsy sample, reducing the number of animals required for basic research or enabling a patient biopsy to be used enabling individually tailored medications and treatment plans to be devised. 5,29 Furthermore, as the effect of the drug can be monitored not only at an observable cellular level but also at the level of gene expression, the pharmacological effect can be monitored looking at potential unwanted side effects caused by the activation of prodrugs or carcinogens. Integration of the proposed system with other techniques, such as the EROD assay, would allow more information to be obtained from individual biopsy samples, eg, protein activity and gene expression levels, in the development of techniques for patient-specific treatments.…”

Microfabrication technologies for oral drug delivery

“…The field of microfluidics is gaining popularity in drug discovery, development [11] and personalized biomolecular diagnostics [10] due to their ability to provide fluid flow in the physiological range. Micro uidic devices also require minimal samples and reagents, and promote the effective use of space, while providing potential for multiple assays and processes in a single device for high-throughput assays [104].…”

“…Micro uidic devices also require minimal samples and reagents, and promote the effective use of space, while providing potential for multiple assays and processes in a single device for high-throughput assays [104]. Moreover, micro uidics offers spatial and temporal fluidic control in a biomimetic environment enabling long-term cell culture and differentiation [10]. Thus, microfluidics is becoming integral part of the cell-based assays to predict oral drug absorption.…”