Synergism between particle-based multiplexing and microfluidics technologies may bring diagnostics closer to the patient

In the field of medical diagnostics there is a growing need for inexpensive, accurate, and quick high-throughput assays. On the one hand, recent progress in microfluidics technologies is expected to strongly support the development of miniaturized analytical devices, which will speed up (bio)analytical assays. On the other hand, a higher throughput can be obtained by the simultaneous screening of one sample for multiple targets (multiplexing) by means of encoded particle-based assays. Multiplexing at the macro level is now common in research labs and is expected to become part of clinical diagnostics. This review aims to debate on the “added value” we can expect from (bio)analysis with particles in microfluidic devices. Technologies to (a) decode, (b) analyze, and (c) manipulate the particles are described. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges of integrating currently existing detection platforms for encoded microparticles into microdevices and on promising microtechnologies that could be used to down-scale the detection units in order to obtain compact miniaturized particle-based multiplexing platforms

Colour-barcoded magnetic microparticles for multiplexed bioassays

Encoded particles have a demonstrated value for multiplexed high-throughput bioassays such as drug discovery and clinical diagnostics(1,2). In diverse samples, the ability to use a large number of distinct identification codes on assay particles is important to increase throughput(3). Proper handling schemes are also needed to readout these codes on free-floating probe microparticles. Here we create vivid, free-floating structural coloured particles with multi-axis rotational control using a colour-tunable magnetic material and a new printing method(4). Our colour-barcoded magnetic microparticles offer a coding capacity easily into the billions with distinct magnetic handling capabilities including active positioning for code readouts and active stirring for improved reaction kinetics in microscale environments(5). A DNA hybridization assay is done using the colour-barcoded magnetic microparticles to demonstrate multiplexing capabilitiesclos