Microfluidics for protein interaction studies: current methods, challenges, and future perspectives

Proteins are the key molecular players of life, carrying out their functions through interactions. Microfluidic technologies have emerged as powerful tools for studying protein interactions with exquisite sensitivity, resolution, and throughput. In this review, we highlight recent advances in microfluidic approaches for protein interaction studies. We first explore continuous-flow microfluidics, which utilize diffusion-based techniques and electrophoretic methods, before examining the role of droplet microfluidics in probing protein interactions. We provide an overview of the diverse applications of these technologies in biophysical research, drug discovery, and clinical diagnostics. We conclude with a discussion of the potential of microfluidics for driving future innovations and emerging opportunities.