Integration of biosensors and associated electronics on lab-on-chip devices

Abstract

Lab-on-chip devices comprise a class of bioelectronic miniaturized devices that incorporate microfluidic and biosensing apparatuses on a single chip. They are dedicated for analyzing and processing biochemical liquid samples, which may consist of enzymes, proteins, nucleotides, or even cells and viruses. Furthermore, lab-on-chips may enhance synthesis of biochemical products. The importance of lab-on-chip devices lies on their potentiality of advancing the development of environmental monitoring sensors and also point-of-care analyzers in medicine. This article presents the usual microfabrication methods for manufacturing lab-on-chip devices, with emphasis on the integration of the biosensor, the biocompatibility of the sensing element of the biosensor, and the essential electronics. Three major types of biosensors are analyzed: optical, impedimetric and electrochemical ones.