Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
In general for wider exploitation of microfluidic devices integration
of optical and electrical detection components is essential to realize truly
portable systems. Either these components need to be included on-chip at
low-cost or systems need to be designed where low-cost and portable opti-
cal and electrical hardware integrates with a disposable microfluidic chip.
Microfluidics has even been applied to sample processing, though deal-
ing with real water samples is challenging, due to potential problems with
device clogging as well as obtaining sufficient throughput. However, online
monitoring of wastewater using a microfluidic system has been demon-
strated, though for phosphate sensing, which is simpler than microorganism
analysis. 106
Foodborne pathogens seem to have received more attention than water-
borne pathogens, though often the pathogens are the same and identical
detection procedures are possible. The main difference lies in the sample
processing, and it is easier to test wash from food samples as opposed to large
volumes of complex environmental water, which might be the explanation
for the focus. Additionally, there may be differences in the food and water
testing markets, a factor which will be addressed in Chapter 11.
Performing molecular methods on microfluidic chips has many advan-
tages, though has not yet been applied too extensively to the challenge of
waterborne pathogen detection. The technology is reaching the stage of
integrated systems although more work needs to be done on incorporation
of sample processing elements. This challenge is greater for environmen-
tal water samples where both the initial sample volumes and the potential
number of interferents/inhibitors are high. An EU project, entitled Aqua-
valens, starts in the spring of 2013 aiming to further the use of molecu-
lar methods for monitoring the microbial quality of drinking water with
one important element focusing on the delivery of technological platforms,
including microfluidics, to perform the testing.
Quilliam et al. report that increases in the sensitivity and specificity of
detection methods for waterborne pathogens are currently being achieved
by combining advances in microfluidics technology and analytical chem-
istry with molecular and immunological methods. 107 Mairhofer, Roppert,
and Ertl believe the next generation of pathogen sensing developments will
be facilitated by advances in lab-on-a-chip devices. 54
The global market for microfluidic technology is growing at a great pace
and was estimated to be worth $6.2 billion in 2011. 98 Given their many
advantages, and providing some of the above challenges can be met, it can
be expected that in the future microfluidics for waterborne pathogens will
have an increasing share in that growing market.
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