The demand for faster, cheaper and more reliable assay systems is driving a new technical revolution in the form of microfluidics—the flow of tiny droplets through hair-thin tubing—with applications everywhere from industry to doctors' offices. Julie Clayton reports.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to the full article PDF.
USD 39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Barry, R. & Ivanov, D. J. Nanobiotechnology 2, 2 (2004).
Lion, N. et al. Electrophoresis 24, 3533–3562 (2003).
Mitchell, P. Nat. Biotechnol. 19, 717–721 (2001).
Ducre, J. & Zengerle, R. FlowMap: microfluidics roadmap for the life sciences (http://www.microfluidics-roadmap.com/).
World Microfluidics / Lab-on-a-Chip Markets. (Frost & Sullivan, 2003).
Weigl, B.H., Bardell, R.L. & Cabrera, C.R. Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 55, 349–377 (2003).
Author information
Author notes
Julie Clayton is a freelance writer in the UK.
- Julie Clayton
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Clayton, J. Go with the microflow. Nat Methods 2, 621–627 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth0805-621
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth0805-621
This article is cited by
-
Microfluidic chip designs process optimization and dimensional quality control
Microsystem Technologies (2015)
-
Thickness-averaged model for numerical simulation of electroosmotic flow in three-dimensional microfluidic chips
Applied Mathematics and Mechanics (2013)
-
Periodical streaming potential and electro-viscous effects in microchannel flow
Applied Mathematics and Mechanics (2008)
-
Cells on chips
Nature (2006)
-
Lab-on-a-chip: microfluidics in drug discovery
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2006)
