Rapid DNA hybridization in microfluidics

Individualized genetic diagnostics are emerging as critical medical tools in the provision of personalized care, rapid disease screening and follow-up therapy, and in defense, security and environmental applications. The advances made in DNA-detection techniques and micro-total analysis systems have fostered the development of new micro-devices that promise to provide fast genetic testing at the point of need within minutes, if rapid DNA-DNA hybridization can be achieved. In recent years, several strategies have been developed to enhance DNA-hybridization kinetics and the overall sensitivity and reliability of sequence-specific DNA analysis. This article reviews new concepts and approaches employed to achieve rapid hybridization and detection, and the promise to take genetic testing out of specialized laboratories into the field.

► We review techniques with potential applications in point-of-care genetic testing.
► Microfluidics are very suited to enhance mass-transport and reaction kinetics.
► Rapid hybridization in microfluidics can be achieved in seconds rather than hours.
► Gene expression and SNP analysis can be realized in solution or on surfaces.
► Integration with rapid DNA-amplification techniques is needed.