Feature

Diagnostics for the Developing World: Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) are a new class of point-of-care diagnostic devices that are inexpensive, easy to use, and designed specifically for use in developing countries. (To listen to a podcast about this feature, please go to the Analytical Chemistry multimedia page at pubs.acs.org/page/ancham/audio/index.html.)

Harvard University
Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil)/Harvard University
Anal. Chem., 2010, 82 (1), pp 3–10
DOI: 10.1021/ac9013989
Publication Date (Web): December 9, 2009
Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society

  Note

Biography

Andres W. Martinez studied chemistry as a graduate student at Harvard University with George M. Whitesides. He is interested in low-cost diagnostics for applications in the developing world, and in 2010 he will become an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obsipo. Scott T. Phillips currently is the Martarano Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at The Pennsylvania State University. His research group is developing new reagents and strategies for detecting analytes, amplifying signal, and stabilizing biological reagents. The Phillips group also is designing new types of responsive plastics to address issues of pollution. Prior to his current position, Phillips was a postdoctoral fellow with Whitesides. George M. Whitesides is now the Woodford L. and Ann A. Flowers University Professor at Harvard University. His present research interests include organic surface chemistry, physical-organic chemistry, nanoscience, cell biology, molecular recognition, new materials, microfluidics, fluidic optics, flames and other dynamic systems, technology for developing economies, and origin of life. Emanuel Carrilho is an Associate Professor in Bioanalytical Chemistry at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. He recently spent a two-year sabbatical at Harvard University in the Whitesides group. His current research interests focus on the development of analytical methods for biological systems and the development of instrumentation based on microfluidics for diagnosis of disease. Address correspondence to Whitesides at the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 (gwhitesides@gmwgroup.harvard.edu). (To listen to a podcast interview with the authors, please go to the Analytical Chemistry multimedia page at pubs.acs.org/page/ancham/audio/index.html.)

Synopsis

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) are a new class of point-of-care diagnostic devices that are inexpensive, easy to use, and designed specifically for use in developing countries. In their Feature article, Andres W. Martinez, Scott T. Phillips, and George M. Whitesides of Harvard University and Emanuel Carrilho of Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil)/Harvard University outline how these devices are constructed and describe their potential applications in the developing world. The cover shows two types of μPADs superimposed on an image representing the developing world (Shutterstock).

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Published online 9 December 2009
Published in print 1 January 2010
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