Centrifugal microfluidics for cell analysis

Over the past two decades, centrifugal microfluidic systems have successfully demonstrated their capability for robust, high-performance liquid handling to enable modular, multi-purpose lab-on-a-chip platforms for a wide range of life-science applications. Beyond the handling of homogeneous liquids, the unique, rotationally controlled centrifugal actuation has proven to be specifically advantageous for performing cell and particle handling and assays. In this review we discuss technologies to implement two important steps for cell handling, namely separation and capturing/counting.

► Lab-on-a-disc platforms bear great promise for advanced cell handling and analysis.
► Centrifugal methods for cell separation, concentration and purification are outlined.
► Novel capture-based assays on the rotating lab-on-a-disc platform are reviewed.
► Next generation devices offer high-performance and cost-efficient diagnostics.