Multidisciplinary Role of Microfluidics for Biomedical and Diagnostic Applications: Biomedical Microfluidic Devices

Life scientists are closely working with engineers to solve biological and biomedical problems through the application of engineering tools. For engineers involved in this collaborative work, new knowledge is created in their own disciplines. For example, the science and technology at the interface of biomedical sciences and microfluidics has played a significant role in ushering in recent advances in genomics, proteomics, single cell analysis, and lab-on-chip (LOC)/point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. Moreover, this interplay has led to the miniaturization of biomedical microfluidic devices to replace routine analyses and diagnostics, featuring a high degree of system integration; improved potential for automation, control, and high-throughput processing; small volumes of samples and reagents; reduced cost; greater reliability and sensitivity; personalization and disposability; and shorter bioassay times. This special issue of Micromachines entitled ‘Biomedical Microfluidic Devices’ provides a discussion of the technical challenges associated with developing microfluidic devices for biomedical and diagnostic applications. Addressing these challenges requires technological advances in many areas, including sensors [1,2], actuators [3], materials [4,5], microfabrication techniques [6], simulations and models [7–9], and platform technologies [10–12]. This special issue consists of 12 high-quality papers, including two insightful review articles [4,12]. Sensors: The integration of sensors in microfluidic devices has great potential in stand-alone or hand-held systems for various biological and biomedical applications. Using an electroceutical approach in a simple microfluidic device, Berthelot et al. [1] report the impact of varying electrical currents and acetic acid concentrations on bacterial motility dynamics. Khashayer et al. [2] developed an electrochemical sensor integrated with a microfluidic cartridge to study serum levels of different bone markers for the potential applicability of osteoporosis care. Actuators: Successful commercialization of LOC/POC devices has been hindered owing to the lack of reliable microfluidic actuators, such as microvalves and micropumps. To overcome this challenge, Kinahan et al. [3] present a chemically actuated valving mechanism through gas release from baking powder that is initially dry-stored on a centrifugally driven biomedical microfluidic device. Materials: A review article by Ma et al. [4] summarizes the multidisciplinary role of microfluidics for biomaterials in areas ranging from synthesis technologies to biological applications. The authors highlight the superior properties and performance of functional biomaterials synthesized by microfluidics, which arise because their morphology and composition can be controlled through unique microfluidic scaling effects, such as laminar streaming flow, high surface-to-volume ratio, and improved heat and mass transfer. They categorize microfluidic-based biomaterials into four groups according to the material dimensionality: 0D for particulate materials, 1D for fibrous materials, 2D for sheet materials, and 3D for construct forms of materials. In particular, they highlight the microfluidic synthesis technologies for 0D particulate and 1D fibrous biomaterials, and focus on their