Microfluidic Devices: A Tool for Nanoparticle Synthesis and Performance Evaluation

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in nanomedicine holdsgreat promisefor the treatment of diseases for which conventional therapies presentserious limitations. Additionally, NPs can drastically improve earlydiagnosis and follow-up of many disorders. However, to harness theirfull capabilities, they must be precisely designed, produced, andtested in relevant models. Microfluidic systems can simulate dynamicfluid flows, gradients, specific microenvironments, and multiorgancomplexes, providing an efficient and cost-effective approach forboth NPs synthesis and screening. Microfluidic technologies allowfor the synthesis of NPs under controlled conditions, enhancing batch-to-batchreproducibility. Moreover, due to the versatility of microfluidicdevices, it is possible to generate and customize endless platformsfor rapid and efficient in vitro and in vivo screening of NPs'performance. Indeed, microfluidic devices show great potential asadvanced systems for small organism manipulation and immobilization.In this review, first we summarize the major microfluidic platformsthat allow for controlled NPs synthesis. Next, we will discuss themost innovative microfluidic platforms that enable mimicking in vitroenvironments as well as give insights into organism-on-a-chip andtheir promising application for NPs screening. We conclude this reviewwith a critical assessment of the current challenges and possiblefuture directions of microfluidic systems in NPs synthesis and screeningto impact the field of nanomedicine.