Trends and challenges in microfluidic methods for protein manipulation-A review.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Biochemistry
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Proteins are vital molecules in numerous biological processes.
• Accurate protein analysis and manipulation are essential for developing therapeutics and biotechnological applications.
• Current methods face challenges in reliability and affordability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in protein manipulation within microfluidic systems.
• To highlight various physicochemical principles and techniques employed for protein handling.
• To discuss the potential of microfluidics in addressing protein manipulation challenges.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of microfluidic systems for protein manipulation.
• Analysis of diverse physicochemical principles (e.g., electrokinetics, acoustics, hydrodynamics).
• Review of miniaturized versions of established macro-scale techniques.

Main Results:

• Microfluidic platforms enable precise control over micro- and nanoparticles.
• Various techniques demonstrate effectiveness in protein manipulation and analysis.
• Miniaturization of techniques enhances efficiency and reduces sample/reagent consumption.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidic technology presents a promising solution for protein manipulation challenges.
• These advancements facilitate the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
• The integration of microfluidics is key for future biotechnological innovations.