Recent lab‐on‐chip developments for novel drug discovery

Abstract

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and micro total analysis systems (μTAS) revolutionized the biochemical and electronic industries, and this miniaturization process became a key driver for many markets. Now, it is a driving force for innovations in life sciences, diagnostics, analytical sciences, and chemistry, which are called ‘lab‐on‐a‐chip, (LOC)’ devices. The use of these devices allows the development of fast, portable, and easy‐to‐use systems with a high level of functional integration for applications such as point‐of‐care diagnostics, forensics, the analysis of biomolecules, environmental or food analysis, and drug development. In this review, we report on the latest developments in fabrication methods and production methodologies to tailor LOC devices. A brief overview of scale‐up strategies is also presented together with their potential applications in drug delivery and discovery. The impact of LOC devices on drug development and discovery has been extensively reviewed in the past. The current research focuses on fast and accurate detection of genomics, cell mutations and analysis, drug delivery, and discovery. The current research also differentiates the LOC devices into new terminology of microengineering, like organ‐on‐a‐chip, stem cells‐on‐a‐chip, human‐on‐a‐chip, and body‐on‐a‐chip. Key challenges will be the transfer of fabricated LOC devices from lab‐scale to industrial large‐scale production. Moreover, extensive toxicological studies are needed to justify the use of microfabricated drug delivery vehicles in biological systems. It will also be challenging to transfer the in vitro findings to suitable and promising in vivo models. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1381. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1381