Recent advancements in nucleic acid detection with microfluidic chip for molecular diagnostics

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has extensively promoted the application of nucleic acid testing technology in the field of clinical testing. The most widely used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based nucleic acid testing technology has problems such as complex operation, high requirements of personnel and laboratories, and contamination. The highly miniaturized microfluidic chip provides an essential tool for integrating the complex nucleic acid detection process. Various microfluidic chips have been developed for the rapid detection of nucleic acid, such as amplification-free microfluidics in combination with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). In this review, we first summarized the routine process of nucleic acid testing, including sample processing and nucleic acid detection. Then the typical microfluidic chip technologies and new research advances are sum-marized. We also discuss the main problems of nucleic acid detection and the future developing trend of the microfluidic chip.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the use of nucleic acid testing technology in clinical testing. The current polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based nucleic acid testing technology, although widely used, has limitations such as complex operation, high personnel and lab requirements, and contamination. Microfluidic chips, with their high miniaturization, provide a crucial tool for integrating the complicated nucleic acid detection process. Various microfluidic chip technologies, including amplification-free microfluidics in combination with CRISPR, have been developed for rapid nucleic acid detection. This review summarizes the routine process of nucleic acid testing, highlights typical microfluidic chip technologies and recent research advances, discusses the main challenges in nucleic acid detection, and explores the future development trend of microfluidic chips.