Microfluidics for High Throughput Screening of Biological Agents and Therapeutics

Microfluidic devices have been widely used for gene analysis, immunoassays, organ-on-chip technology, cell engineering, and disease modeling. Their integration into high throughput screening (HTS) platforms has led to large-scale testing of various biological and chemical agents. This brief review discusses existing microfluidic HTS modalities, including the droplet mode, the perfusion mode, and the array-based platforms in active or passive designs, by exploring their fabrication methods and key design features. The main compartments are discussed, and the future trajectories of microfluidic HTS platforms, particularly in drug screening, are explained in detail. This review aims to serve as a guide for bioengineers and clinicians, offering insights to advance the development of the microfluidic toolboxes utilized in drug screening efforts.