Abstract

Microfluidic Technologies in Liquid Biopsy: Needle-to-Needle Challenges

Victor Ugaz, Professor & Holder of the Charles D. Holland ’53 Professorship, Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University

Liquid biopsy techniques are revolutionizing healthcare by enabling sophisticated bioanalysis to be performed in a minimally invasive manner. And these methods have shown particular promise in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, where screening of cellular and extracellular material makes it possible to monitor disease progression and develop personalized therapies. But existing approaches to isolate, detect, and analyze liquid biopsy samples are complex and deliver limited throughput, making them challenging to deploy as routine diagnostic tools. Therefore, we are developing a microfluidic platform that combines high-throughput isolation and label-free imaging to rapidly screen rare cell populations. I will describe these efforts and provide a broader perspective of challenges and opportunities for microfluidic technologies in the areas of liquid biopsy and personalized medicine.