Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
07:10
Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E sIgE
Published on: April 21, 2019
15.9K
Allergen screening bioassays: recent developments in lab-on-a-chip and lab-on-a-disc systems
Ho-pui Ho1, Pui-man Lau, Ho-chin Kwok
1Department of Electronic Engineering, Center for Advanced Research in Photonics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Bioanalysis
|August 28, 2014
Summary
New microfluidic lab-on-a-chip systems offer faster, more sensitive allergy testing. A highlighted cell-based assay detects both IgE- and non-IgE allergy triggers using degranulation in microfluidic devices.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Allergies involve immune responses to harmless substances (allergens).
- Current skin-prick tests are invasive, uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous.
- There is a need for improved allergy diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize advancements in microfluidic devices for allergy testing.
- To highlight a novel cell-based assay for detecting allergy triggers.
- To showcase the benefits of microfabrication in allergy diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Review of lab-on-a-chip and lab-on-a-disc technologies for allergy testing.
- Focus on a centrifugal microfluidic system.
- Description of a cell-based assay measuring degranulation.
Main Results:
- Microfluidic systems offer shorter analysis times, higher sensitivity, and simplified procedures.
- These systems require minimal sample and reagent volumes.
- The highlighted assay detects both IgE- and non-IgE-mediated allergic responses.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic devices represent a significant improvement over traditional allergy tests.
- The described cell-based assay provides a comprehensive method for allergy diagnosis.
- These technologies promise more efficient, safe, and cost-effective allergy testing.
