Biotechnology comprises several research fields in which microfluidics plays an important role nowadays. In DNA analysis or diagnostics, for instance, lab-on-a-chip is a disruptive technology that carries many advantages over conventional technologies.

Using lab-on-a-chip technology results in:

• faster analyses
• decreased cost per analysis
• decreased reagent usage

Some application fields in which lab-on-a-chip is used are described below.

Genomics and Proteomics
Lab-on-a-chip technology is used for DNA analysis, like DNA assays to size and quantitate PCR fragments or DNA microarrays to determine the sequence of subunits that constitute DNA.

DNA analysis has many applications, such as forensic investigation, pathogen identification and defence. The use of microchips enables fast analyses with results in a few seconds. Moreover, the data quality is much better than with conventional technologies and the cost per analysis is reduced.

Micronit develops DNA microchips for leading companies in this area.

Diagnostics
Diagnostics at the point of care is booming, and it will lead to a revolution in the medical world. Blood tests will be done by patients themselves with handheld devices that measure the concentration of certain substances in their blood. The results of these tests indicate the type and amount of medication that the patient needs to take. Moreover, point-of-care diagnostics enables on-line monitoring of the patient's blood.

Together with partners and customers, Micronit develops microfluidic devices for point-of-care analysis, for instance for measuring lithium in blood.

Food & Nutrition
Micronit has developed microfluidic devices for universities and industrial parties doing research in the food and nutrition field. Examples of such research are micro- and nano-filtration, emulsification and bioreactor development.

References
Micronit Microfluidics BV has developed a broad range of knowledge in biotechnical microfluidics for several companies. In the biotechnical market, microfluidics is commonly used for microchemical reactions, chip electrophoresis (CE) and microcytometry. We will illustrate this with three devices Micronit developed over the last years.

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