Lab-on-Chip devices allow faster and cheaper DNA sequencing and biochemical detection to chemical synthesis

Lab-on-chip  is an integrated miniaturized device  that  allows researchers to perform all the operations  from sample collection to final analysis onto the same chip. Theoretically, LOC technology has the potential to carry out almost any laboratory procedure on a miniaturized scale. This could range from DNA sequencing and biochemical detection to chemical synthesis, clinical diagnostics and biomarker validation. The basis of the lab-on-a-chip dream is to integrate onto a single micro-process chip thousands of biochemical operations that could be done by splitting a single drop of blood collected from the patient in order to get a precise diagnosis of potential diseases.

Lab-on-a-chip devices are a subset of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices and sometimes called “micro total analysis systems” (µTAS). Lab-on-a-chip technology essential comprises devices which have an element that is millimeter to centimeter sizes which encapsulate more than one laboratory processes into a singular device. LOCs may use microfluidics, the physics, manipulation and study of minute amounts of fluids. LOCs can handle extremely small fluid volumes down to less than pico-liters.

In the case of LOC technology, microfluidics relates to the study of the behavior of fluids through micro-channels and the manufacturing of miniaturized devices containing chambers and tunnels through which liquids flow. Such devices typically comprise microfluidic elements for fluid handling and additional components for fluid control, processing and some detection capability. LOC might include biosensors/electrochemical/optochemical sensors that have been developed in recent years.

Microfluidic devices can integrate sample preparation and detection on microassays, scaling down different laboratory functions onto one chip. For instance, in cell biology, researchers are able to culture their cells within a microfluidic device with the possibility to inject drugs and see live the response of the sample at a cellular basis. In this regard, the possibility to have complete control over the surrounding environment has been deeply explored. This approach can be a game changer in applications  ranging from cancer research to defense against chemical agents, and it holds the promise of providing orders of magnitude advantage in speed and cost.

Several labs-on-a-chip have been commercialized for some key applications such as glucose monitoring, HIV detection or heart attack diagnostics. The challenge for industrial research will be to incorporate on the same lab-on-a-chip the maximum amount of individual operations in order to decrease costs and increase ergonomics as well as the speed of diagnosis. At the moment, technologies are not unified and nobody can say which technologies and which materials will be the most promising for high throughput diagnostics. For example, in February 2016, researchers at the University of Kansas developed a new chip laboratory diagnostic device that adjusted the
liquid biopsy principle to detect cancer using plasma or blood drops quickly.

Military agencies such as the DARPA and the DGA have also invested a lot of money in advancing research on lab-on-a-chip technologies since such advancements would allow them to detect biological threats towards troops and civilians as soon as possible.