Synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) has garnered significant interest due to their wide-ranging applications. Microfluidics offers a superior alternative to traditional NPs synthesis by providing precise control over reaction parameters.

Lab-on-a-Disc (LoaD) biosensors are increasingly a promising solution for many biosensing applications. In the search for a perfect match between point-of-care (PoC) microfluidic devices and biosensors, the LoaD platform has the potential to be reliable, sensitive, low-cost, and easy-to-use. The present global pandemic draws attention to the importance of rapid sample-to-answer PoC devices for minimising manual intervention and sample manipulation, thus increasing the safety of the health professional while minimising the chances of sample contamination. A biosensor is defined by its ability to measure an analyte by converting a biological binding event to tangible analytical data. With evolving manufacturing processes for both LoaDs and biosensors, it is becoming more feasible to embed biosensors within the platform and/or to pair the microfluidic cartridges with low-cost detection systems. This review considers the basics of the centrifugal microfluidics and describes recent developments in common biosensing methods and novel technologies for fluidic control and automation. Finally, an overview of current devices on the market is provided. This review will guide scientists who want to initiate research in LoaD PoC devices as well as providing valuable reference material to researchers active in the field.

Lab-on-a-disc (LoaD) technology has emerged as a transformative approach for point-of-care diagnostics and high-throughput testing. The promise of integrating multiple laboratory functions onto a single integrated platform has significant implications for healthcare, especially in resource-limited settings. However, one of the primary challenges faced in the design and manufacture of LoaD devices is the integration of effective valving mechanisms. These valves are essential for fluid control and routing, but their intricacy often leads to complexities in design and increased vulnerability to failure. This emphasizes the need for improved designs and manufacturing processes without complex, integrated valving mechanisms. (96) RESULTS: We describe a fully automated biological workflow and reagent actuation on a LoaD device without an integrated valving system. The Two Degrees-of-Freedom (2DoF) custom centrifuge alters the centre of rotation, facilitating fluid flow direction changes on the microfluidic platform through a custom programmed interface. A novel 360-degree fluid manipulation approach via secondary planetary gear motion enabled sequential assay reagent actuation without embedded valve triggering, with the addition of infinite incubation times and efficient use of platform realty. The simplified LoaD platform uses clever design, with intermediate flow chambers to avoid cross contamination between reagent steps. Notably, the optimized LoaD platform demonstrated a two-fold DNA yield at higher HEK-293 cell concentrations compared to commercially available spin-column kits. This significantly simplified LoaD platform successfully automated a common, complex workflow without inhibiting DNA purification. (129) SIGNIFICANCE: This system exhibits the clever coupling of both 2DoF and centrifugal microfluidics to create an autonomous testing package capable of eradicating the need for complex valving systems to automate biological workflows on LoaDs. This automated system has outperformed commercially available DNA extraction kits for higher cell counts. The platform's elimination of valve requirements ensures unlimited sample incubation times and enhances reliability, making it a straightforward option for automated biological workflows, particularly in diagnostics. (73).

Microfluidic devices offer precise control over polymeric nanoparticle (NP) synthesis.

Microfluidics has emerged as an innovative approach for tuneable and controlled formulation of nanoparticles, offering distinct advantages over conventional methods. Precise control of the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles is essential for optimising their therapeutic performance. In this study, we systematically investigate the influence of flow rate ratio (FRR) and total flow rate (TFR) on the formulation of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles using a continuous hydrodynamic flow focusing (HFF) microfluidic platform and benchmark the outcomes against a conventional batch process. Mixing times under different flow conditions were quantified by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and validated experimentally to establish mechanistic links between microchannel mixing and the resulting nanoparticle properties. Our results show that increasing TFR and decreasing FRR shorten the mixing time, leading to the formation of smaller nanoparticles. PLGA NPs size decreased from 156.6 ± 2.56 nm to 128.9 ± 2.53 nm with an increase in TFR from 250 mL/min to 1000 mL/min while keeping the FRR constant at 0.05. While by increasing the FRR from 0.05 to 0.075 at a constant TFR of 250 uL/min PLGA NPs size increases from 156.6 ± 2.56 nm to 168.4 ± 2.46nm. This work highlights the critical role of flow parameters in governing nanoprecipitation kinetics and establishes a tuneable platform for the scalable production of PLGA nanoparticles with well-defined physicochemical properties for biomedical applications.