In vitro diagnostic platforms of the future; technological possibilities and challenges

Micro- and nanotechnologies are utilized in the new generation of diagnostic platforms for in vitro analyses. Complex analyses that need a sequence of manual or instrumental process steps in the laboratories can be automated by controlling microfluidic flows of samples and reagents in polymer chips. The biochemistries are adapted to small volume reactions. New and sensitive detection principles will be able to detect down to a few copies of biomarkers per sample. We present examples of platforms analyzing patient samples for proteins and nucleic acids, and some of the challenges involved in volume manufacturing of these platforms.