文摘
Bioanalytical systems based on microfluidics, also called “lab-on-chips” or “micro Total Analysis Systems (microTAS), are still not very common, but they represent a very challenging and fast-developing area of research. They bear the promise of developing in the near future low cost, powerful and high throughput systems for biological and medical research, in strong synergy with the genomic revolution. They should also provide the basis for simple, low cost and user friendly point of care devices, to help the application of the rapid progress of molecular biology and genomics in the fields of diagnosis and biotechnology. In the present review, we recall the biological and medical context in which this research takes place, and we provide a few examples of present challenges and trends, and of devices and technologies presently under development. To cite this article: N. Minc, J.-L. Viovy, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).