Droplet-based microfluidics in biomedical applications

Amirifar L., Besanjideh M., Nasiri R., Shamloo A., Nasrollahi F., De Barros N. R., ...More

BIOFABRICATION, vol.14, no.2, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac39a9
  • Journal Name: BIOFABRICATION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Compendex, EMBASE, INSPEC, MEDLINE
  • Keywords: microfluidics, droplet, drug delivery, detection, particle synthesis, diagnostics, cell, POLYMERASE-CHAIN-REACTION, PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS, DRUG-DELIVERY PLATFORM, DIGITAL PCR, T-JUNCTION, SERPENTINE MICROCHANNELS, MULTICELLULAR SPHEROIDS, HYDROGEL MICROCAPSULES, EMULSIFICATION DEVICE, SENSITIVE DETECTION
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Droplet-based microfluidic systems have been employed to manipulate discrete fluid volumes with immiscible phases. Creating the fluid droplets at microscale has led to a paradigm shift in mixing, sorting, encapsulation, sensing, and designing high throughput devices for biomedical applications. Droplet microfluidics has opened many opportunities in microparticle synthesis, molecular detection, diagnostics, drug delivery, and cell biology. In the present review, we first introduce standard methods for droplet generation (i.e. passive and active methods) and discuss the latest examples of emulsification and particle synthesis approaches enabled by microfluidic platforms. Then, the applications of droplet-based microfluidics in different biomedical applications are detailed. Finally, a general overview of the latest trends along with the perspectives and future potentials in the field are provided.