Microfluidics is a technology that enables scientists and engineers to control very small amounts of liquids. These fluids are controlled through channels that are often smaller than human hair. Microfluidic systems are usually small and combine knowledge from various scientific disciplines.
Microfluidics is transforming various sectors globally. It’s making medical testing faster and more accurate. It is also accelerating drug development and improving aspects such as food safety. The rapid growth of the field has led to several companies introducing innovative solutions. In this article, we explain to you the fundamentals of microfluidics. We’ll also cover the top companies offering microfluidics solutions. Read on!
Microfluidics is the science and technology of handling minimal amounts of liquids through tiny channels. The behavior of liquids at this scale is different from what we see in everyday life. As such, scientists are able to control them with greater precision.
Engineers leverage this principle to design microfluidic devices. These devices, also referred to as “labs-on-a-chip,” can perform the same functions as a full laboratory. However, these functions are processed at a much faster rate and more efficiently. Additionally, their lower use of samples and reagents makes experiments cheaper and less wasteful. The speed, accuracy, and compact size of microfluidic systems mean they find applications in several areas.
The following are some of the key features of microfluidic systems:
Below, we’ve explained to you some of the various applications of microfluidics:
Drug Development: Microfluidics helps pharmaceutical companies test drugs faster and more efficiently. The high-throughput screening and precise dosing supported by microfluidics speed up drug discovery services. Additionally, it lowers the need for animal testing.
Healthcare and Diagnostics: These devices are transforming medical testing. They make it possible to detect diseases like COVID-19, HIV, and cancer quickly at the point of care. Early diagnosis improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs.
Food & Beverages Industry: Microfluidics helps improve safety and innovation in food production. It allows for the creation of new textures and identifies pathogens. For example, microfluidic emulsification is used to produce low-fat spreads and other healthier products.
Environmental Monitoring: Small and affordable microfluidic sensors can track pollutants, toxins, and pathogens in air and water. Their ability to provide real-time data makes them highly valuable for protecting the environment and public health.
Here’s a look at the top companies offering microfluidics solutions:
Danaher Corporation (Cepheid & Sciex)
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
Key Product: GeneXpert System, a widely used microfluidic-based PCR testing platform for infectious diseases.
Established: 1984
Danaher Corporation: Danaher is a U.S.-based global conglomerate. It is known for its wide range of medical, industrial, and commercial products. Danaher’s portfolio includes diagnostic systems, testing instruments, life science research tools, and professional microscopes. Its leading subsidiaries, including Cepheid and Sciex, play a crucial role in microfluidics-driven diagnostics and analytical instruments.
Fluidigm Corporation (Now Standard BioTools)
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
Key Product: Biomark HD System, a high-throughput PCR and sequencing platform using microfluidics.
Established: 1999
Standard BioTools is a U.S.-based life science company specializing in advanced analytical technologies. It is known for its mass cytometry systems for flow cytometry and tissue imaging. The company also offers related assays and reagents. Standard BioTools’ solutions support advanced research in cancer, immunology, and immunotherapy.
Bio-Rad Laboratories
Headquarters: Hercules, California, USA
Key Product: QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System. The system offers ultra-sensitive nucleic acid quantification.
Established: 1952
Bio-Rad is a key player in droplet-based microfluidics. The company is known for its droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) technology. The ability of the ddPCR technology to enable absolute quantification of DNA and RNA makes it highly valuable in cancer research and infectious disease detection. The company also integrates microfluidics into products like the Experion system, which allows for fast and automated analysis of proteins and nucleic acids.
PerkinElmer (Revvity)
Headquarters: Shelton, Connecticut, USA
Key Product: AlphaLISA Assay Technology. Uses microfluidics for biomarker detection.
Established: 1937
PerkinElmer is a U.S.-based global corporation. It was formerly known as Perkin-Elmer. The company specializes in analytical instruments, genetic testing solutions, diagnostic tools, and medical imaging components. Its broad portfolio of technologies and services spans detection, imaging, informatics, and laboratory services.
Headquarters: San Diego, California, USA
Key Product: MiSeqDx System. A compact sequencing platform for clinical applications.
Established: 1998
Illumina is a global leader in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. The company has incorporated microfluidics to boost the speed and accuracy of its platforms. Its proprietary digital microfluidics technology is based on electrowetting and allows for precise manipulation of tiny droplets within sealed cartridges. These innovations play a vital role in advancing genetic research and personalized medicine.
Here’s a look at the key trends shaping the microfluidics market landscape:
Integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI): The integration of microfluidics with AI in healthcare is opening new possibilities in research and healthcare. The ability of AI to optimize device design and analyze complex data results in faster diagnostics and more effective therapies.
Smart Wearable Microfluidics: This innovation brings microfluidic technology into flexible and wearable devices that analyze biofluids. It enables continuous and real-time monitoring of biomarkers and overall health conditions.
3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices: 3D printing allows the creation of customizable and low-cost microfluidic systems. These devices support rapid fabrication of complex channels. They are widely used in areas such as cell culture, chemical testing, and biomedical research.
Microfluidics is changing modern science. It is enabling breakthroughs in diagnostics, drug discovery, genomics, and environmental monitoring. By enabling precise control of tiny fluid volumes, it is making healthcare more accessible and research more efficient. The integration of advanced technologies is set to expand its potential even further in the coming years.