Over the past two decades, microfluidic devices have been increasingly integrated in biomedical research workflows. Through precise manipulation and flow control of minute liquid volumes, these miniaturized lab-on-chip (LOC) systems have become powerful tools enabling highly controlled analytical probing in many research applications. The benefits of microfluidic systems, such as short analysis time and low sample/reagent consumption make it a natural fit for molecular diagnosis applications. As the microfluidic field matures, commercially viable materials and processes are needed to ensure the success and application of this technology to device manufacturing practices. Thermoplastic polymers and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) have the potential to satisfy both the design, application, as well as manufacturability requirements of LOC systems. Herein, selected work is highlighted to provide a snapshot of TPE microfluidic devices developed for molecular diagnostics using digital droplet PCR. The technology has been used to delineate specific leukocyte subtypes based on cell-lineage DNA methylation patterns. The presented method achieves multiplex detection of various methylation sites within a single droplet, while promoting customizability and cost-effectiveness, which are prerequisites for translation into clinical diagnostics.
Short Bio
Lidija Malic is a Research Officer leading the Precision Diagnostics team at the Bio-Analytical Micro-Nano Devices Section, Life Sciences Division of the National Research Council of Canada. She also holds an Adjunct Professorship at the Biomedical Engineering Department at McGill University. Her research is focused on the development of electrowetting, centrifugal and pressure-driven microfluidic devices in polymer materials for applications in medical diagnosis, food and water safety, single cell analytics, and space related applications. Lidija holds a PhD from the department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University in Montreal, Canada and an MBA from John Molson School of Business in Montreal, Canada.
