Patenting trends in enzyme related microfluidic applications

• Patenting trends regarding enzyme related microfluidic applications were evaluated.
• Immobilization procedures carried out under mild conditions such as sol–gel technique.
• Systems for biomolecule libraries coupled with optical chromogenic, fluorogenic and lumigenic signal substrates.
• The integration of supercritical fluids and microfluidics for novel applications.
• Droplet microreactors formed by ionic liquids and emulsions.

The miniaturization of continuous processes has been of interest in the academia and industry which is reflected by the increase in scientific publications and patent disclosures in the last decade. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patenting trends regarding enzyme related microfluidic applications in order to observe the progress of science and technology. The mapped patents have been classified as “immobilization method”, “biomolecule screening systems”, “integrated process development” and “microreactor design”. Half of the patent disclosures were filed by academia, whereas the other half was from industrial research which complies with the shift in microfluidics from academic and industrial research to commercial applications. Immobilization procedures carried out at room temperatures such as formulation of silica matrices using sol–gel technique, incorporation of novel hybrid materials, the integration of supercritical fluids and microfluidics, employing ionic liquids as wall-less microreactors, designing low cost, high performance microfluidic devices were the highlights which can pose challenges in various life science applications. The increasing trend is expected to continue and the presented state-of-the-art in enzyme related microfluidic applications have the potential to enhance industry's capabilities for designing innovative systems which would demonstrate significant economic, societal and environmental benefits.

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