Microfluidics deals with the behaviour of liquids and gases in a very small space. In the life sciences and medicine, the technology is used, for example, in lab-on-a-chip systems. Lab-on-a-chip are portable and easy-to-use analysis systems, so-called "mini-labs". In addition to gene analysis, important areas of application are proteomics.
Long-term applications for lab-on-a-chip systems are seen particularly in the field of medical diagnostics as well as pathogen determination and screening. A lot of potential for these systems is also seen in drug research in the pharmaceutical industry. The opportunities for lab-on-a-chip lie in replacing highly complex clinical diagnostic instruments, e.g. when concentrations of more than one analyte are to be determined.
Institute for Applied Physics, WWU Münster
Institute for Applied Physics, WWU Münster