Microfluidics in Genomics

The field of genomics has made considerable use of microfluidics, especially in the context of single-cell sequencing. After NGS was introduced, the field of molecular biology research saw a dramatic shift. In a variety of contexts, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is facilitating in-depth investigations of genomic, transcriptome, and epigenomic features. Thanks to the technology’s decreasing cost and growing capacity, this is now feasible. Experts in the field of NGS have widely acknowledged the utility of microfluidics in managing small sample volumes and enabling automation, integration, and multiplexing across various platforms. This chapter will go into the latest advancements in NGS, a technique that uses microfluidics to investigate the genome. We emphasize the importance of many technical aspects of NGS and show how microfluidic technology might enhance these qualities. We offer a summary of recent developments in microfluidic technology that have been well-suited for genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic research, particularly in the emerging field of single-cell analysis. Significant progress is anticipated in these fields due to the necessity of analyzing small primary cell samples obtained from patients for precision medicine.