Innovations that have transformed room-size computers into dime-size chips are similarly miniaturizing biotechnology. Laboratory tests that previously required lots of equipment, samples, chemicals and time can now be done on a microscopic scale in cheap, mass-produced devices. This so-called lab-on-a-chip technology can automate thousands of experiments a day with great accuracy, saving on expensive chemicals and precious samples. The chips rely on microfluidics— the manipulation of tiny amounts of fluids in equally tiny tubes and vessels.

MACHINE AUTOMATION
After the chip is prepared, it is put into a machine called a bioanalyzer. A vacuum applied at the priming-solution well draws a fluid containing cell samples treated with drug compounds through the microchannels.

LAMINAR FLOW
At the microscopic scale, fluid moves like honey. As a result, two converging streams flow side-by-side and do not mix readily— a property known as laminar flow. When the buffer fluid meets the cell samples, it
gently pinches them into single-file formation. It’s better than forcing them down a narrower channel, where they’d jam up.

CHIP PREPARATION
Cells are mixed with a fluorescing dye and the chemical compounds that are being studied as potential new drugs.The dye glows whenever compounds react with proteins on the cell’s surface, opening pathways into the nucleus,where the drug can treat the disease.

DETECTION
With the help of laminar flow, cells pass through a laser beam and are analyzed one by one.The dye fluoresces wherever a drug candidate binds to a cell.

THE WELLS
Priming solution is added to the PS well and allowed to wick through all the microchannels. This solution treats the channels so that the fluids fill them uniformly, without bubbles. Focusing dye is added to the FD well.The dye imparts to each channel a color that the optics are tuned to detect. A cell buffer is added to the CB wells and is used to force the cells into single-file formation.