Microfluids for genetic cancer diagnostics

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Micro Total Analysis Systems(μ-TAS) offer the potential to vastly improve detection of early stage cancer by doing so at a molecular level, rather than waiting for the disease to manifest into detectable tumours. They also offer much greater through-put than current laboratory based techniques. In this paper an overview is given on the development of a fluid based micro-Total Analysis System (μ-TAS) for generic based detection and monitoring of cancer. The novelty of the system being developed is that micro-fluidic reactors are suspended in fluid streams in a macro-scale device. High throughput is achieved by serial and parallel lines of micro-reactors. The approach overcomes the significant engineering challenge faced in attempting to interface the macro and micro worlds. Because the reactors are enveloped in a fluid medium, contamination of the device and the associated risk of false positives are minimized. The paper gives an overview on micro-reactor droplet dispension, sample preparation using centrifuging, micro-bubble mixing, DNA amplification in a fluid based PCR system and detection using optical techniques.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)26-33
Number of pages8
JournalHouille Blanche
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

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