Microfluidic Chip Speeds Up Testing of Specialized Cancer Drugs
Until recently, a cancer drug lab screening could test ten variables in one day. A new microfluidic chip developed by University of Michigan engineers can now test one thousand different variable in one hour. This allows doctors to more quickly identify the best treatment for the individual patient based on their type of cancer and biology. When fighting cancer, speed is of the utmost importance. These chips are especially useful for testing photodynamic cancer treatments in which drugs are only activated when exposed to light. This kind of hyper localized cancer treatment reduces the negative side effects of other options, like chemotherapy.