Microfluidics: taking experimentation to the scale and diversity of microorganism
Miriam A. Rosenbaum and Martina Graf
We can’t see microbes. How can we find the ones that are special among millions of others?
Microfluidics is the manipulation of fluids at the sub-millimeter scale, enabling the analysis and control of individual microbial cells. Traditional methods are insufficient for studying single-cell behavior and discovering new natural products. Microfluidics offers advantages such as smaller sample volumes, faster experiments, and the ability to perform complex tests on a single chip. Techniques like continuous-flow and droplet microfluidics provide precise control and high parallelization of microbial cultures. This technology is used in studying microbial growth, behavior, and interactions, screening for new products, optimizing biotechnological processes, and advancing personalized medicine, diagnostics, and antibiotic resistance detection. Future developments promise significant impacts in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and sustainable industries.