Development of Paper-Based Microfluidic Biosensors for Medical Diagnostics

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Accurate detection of diagnostic biomarkers is important to control and treatment of diseases. Biologically relevant microfluidic devices have enormous potential, as enabling tools, to change the practice of medical diagnostics, due to their apparent advantages for bioanalysis. Paper-based microfluidics (PMF), as an emerging field, is particularly promising for developing low-cost, portable diagnostic platforms. Different from conventional microfluidic devices, PMF devices distribute fluids in patterned paper channels by capillarity, and are capable of detecting disease markers with limited resources and infrastructures. Currently, many aspects of PMF technology are largely underexplored. With long-term research goals of building up a theoretical and technological framework for PMF research and advancing PMF technology towards practical use in diagnosis, this research program aims to develop novel PMF biosensors to target low-cost, high-throughput detection of clinically relevant biomarkers. Theoretical and technological innovations will be made through: (1) fluid dynamics modeling of capillary flows in paper channels, which will produce generic design guidelines; (2) invention and/or development of novel fluid-control components and biosensing techniques to enable excellent device performance; and (3) development of multifunctional, highly-integrated biosensor assays through PMF large-scale integration, for high-throughput applications. A unique contribution of this program will be the development of a systematic approach to PMF large-scale integration, which could eventually lead to the realization of high-density PMF devices. The new knowledge, innovative techniques, and first-of-their-kinds biosensing devices developed in this research will significantly advance the state of the art in the field of PMF, and provide promising solutions to the improvement of existing diagnostic systems (e.g., in terms of lower cost, higher throughput, and better accessibility). This research program will also offer an excellent multidisciplinary environment for training highly qualified personnel in engineering, biotechnology, and medicine.