Microfluidics for Nucleic Acid Analysis

Dear Colleagues,

Microfluidics ‘lab on a chip’ sample processing and analysis is of increasing interest for point-of-care (POC) medical diagnostics, high-throughput research, and ultrasensitive assays, such as single-cell analysis and detection of cancer and other genetic biomarkers in liquid biopsies (large-volume blood samples).  Nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) based tests provide remarkable sensitivity and specificity, primarily through sequence-specific enzymatic amplification, e.g., PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which facilitates detection—and often quantitation—of target nucleic acid sequences by optical, electrical, or electrochemical means.  

Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) have substantial advantages for diagnostics over immunoassays but require more sample processing and supporting instrumentation.  Microfluidic formats for NAATs have potential advantages for improved performance (improved sensitivity and specificity), faster test times, automated operation, portability, compactness, better containment and prevention of cross-contamination). NAATs may include various pre-amplification processing steps, such as extraction of plasma from whole blood, lysis of cells or viruses, and nucleic acid isolation whereby DNA and/or RNA is extracted, purified, and concentrated as a template for amplification. Heterogeneous and highly variable samples such as blood (whole, plasma, or serum), or medical specimens (saliva, urine, stool), cell culture, biopsies, environmental samples, food, or forensic materials present application-specific issues and challenges.   

Despite the considerable efforts in exploring and developing microfluidics NAATs over the last two decades, there is—as yet—no broad consensus on the best materials, designs, means of fluid actuation and flow control, and methods of fabrication. Diverse approaches and new applications, such as environmental monitoring, food safety, quality assurance, bioterrorism detection, and cancer screening continue to proliferate. Some areas of interest are novel reporter systems (e.g., bioluminescence, electrochemical sensors), isothermal amplification, rapid prototyping, cellphone-based detection and other capabilities, ‘paper microfluidics’ and ‘lab on a CD’. This Special Issue seeks research papers, short communications, and review articles that focus on the above and related topics. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Dr. Michael G. Mauk
Guest Editor

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