Cellular and Subcellular Analysis on Chip

This chapter focuses on micro devices aimed at rapid analysis of cells and subcellular components, specifically organelles. These devices take advantage of microfabrication techniques to create environment suitable for biomechanical and biochemical stimulation of cells, to break cell membranes to extract intracellular materials, and to separate or concentrate organelles and proteins of interest. These procedures require much smaller amounts of samples, reagents, and process time than needed in their macroscopic counterparts. Moreover, they demonstrate operational advantages, such as lower voltages, less heating, and no significant gas formation in electrolysis.