The term 'laboratory' can be defined as a facility which provides controlled conditions for scientific research, experiments or measurements. In recent years, many lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices, which provide controlled conditions for scientific measurements without a formal laboratory, have been developed and used in a wide array of biomedical and other analytical settings. LOC devices integrate and scale down laboratory functions and processes to a miniaturized chip format. In this context the term 'chip' is used loosely, unlike the 'traditional' silicon chip from electronics. LOC devices, or chips, can be fabricated from many types of material including various polymers (e.g. acrylic, polyester, and polycarbonate), glass, or silicon, as well as combinations of these materials (Herold and Rasooly 2009. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology. Caister Academic Press ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9).

In this context the term 'chip' is used loosely, unlike the 'traditional' silicon chip from electronics. LOC devices, or chips, can be fabricated from many types of material including various polymers (e.g. acrylic, polyester, and polycarbonate), glass, or silicon, as well as combinations of these materials. Unlike the 'traditional' silicon integrated circuit (IC) fabrication technologies, a broad variety of fabrication technologies are used for LOC device fabrication.

Bibliography:

1. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics
2. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and Analysis

Labels: biochip, lab on a chip, LOC, microfluidics

Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices integrate and scale down laboratory functions and processes to a miniaturized chip format. Many LOC devices are used in a wide array of biomedical and other analytical applications including rapid pathogen detection, clinical diagnosis, forensic science, electrophoresis, flow cytometry, blood chemistry analysis, protein and DNA analysis. LOC devices can be fabricated from many types of material including various polymers, glass, or silicon, or combinations of these materials. A broad variety of fabrication technologies are used for LOC device fabrication. LOC systems have several common features including microfluidics and sensing capabilities. Microfluidics deals with fluid flow in tiny channels using flow control devices (e.g. channels, pumps, mixers and valves). Sensing capabilities, usually optical or electrochemical sensors, can also be integrated into the chip (Herold and Rasooly 2009. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology. Caister Academic Press ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9).

Lab-on-a-chip technology is a rapidly expanding area of science. It has applications in biotechnology, medicine, clinical diagnostics, chemical engineering, and pharmaceutics. As the lab-on-a-chip systems increase in importance and complexity it is important for scientists to become familiar not only with the technology but also with the potential applications.

Bibliography:

1. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics
2. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and Analysis

Labels: lab on a chip, LOC, microfluidics

Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and Analysis
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Keith E. Herold and Avraham Rasooly
Publication date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9
A skillful selection of topics of exceptional importance to current science ensures that this book will be of major value to a wide range of molecular biologists, clinical scientists, microbiologists, biochemists and anyone interested in LOC technology or developing applications for LOC devices.
further information

Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Keith E. Herold and Avraham Rasooly
Publication date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-46-2
This comprehensive volume presents the current technologies in the field and includes theoretical and technical information to enable both the understanding of the technology and the reproduction of experiments. The book aims to help the reader to understand current LOC technologies, to perform similar experiments, to design new LOC systems and to develop new methodologies and applications.
further information

Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Julie Logan, Kirstin Edwards and Nick Saunders
Publication date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-39-4
This essential manual presents a comprehensive guide to the most up-to-date technologies and applications as well as providing an overview of the theory of this increasingly important technique.
further information

Microbial Production of Biopolymers and Polymer Precursors: Applications and Perspectives
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Bernd H. A. Rehm
Publication date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-36-3
Topics include the biochemistry and genetics of biosynthesis of xanthan, alginate, cellulose, cyanophycin, poly(gamma-glutamic acid), levan, hyaluronic acid, organic acids, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, and polyhydroxyalkanoates. A recommended book for all biotechnology and microbiology laboratories.
further information

Labels: biopolymers, books, lab on a chip, LOC, microfluidics, PCR