Insight
Nature 442, 367 (27 July 2006) | doi:10.1038/442367a; Published online 26 July 2006
Introduction Lab on a chip
Rosamund Daw1 & Joshua Finkelstein2
The ability to perform laboratory operations on a small scale using miniaturized (lab-on-a-chip) devices is very appealing. Small volumes reduce the time taken to synthesize and analyse a product; the unique behaviour of liquids at the microscale allows greater control of molecular concentrations and interactions; and reagent costs and the amount of chemical waste can be much reduced.
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