Microfluidic PCR Chips

The microfluidic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chips have undergone extensive development and nowadays have become an important domain of miniaturization technology application. Here, we review the advances of microfluidic PCR chips over the past years, from the first single chamber stationary PCR chip to the new SlipChip PCR. First, the three distinct types of microfluidic PCR chips are discussed, including chamber stationary PCR chips, flow-through PCR chips and convection PCR chips. Then we focus on droplet PCR chips and SlipChip PCR. Although they are at an early stage, they show the great potential for high-throughput PCR and robust chip. Finally, general discussions on integrated chips are given. The low cost, portable, high-throughout integrated PCR chips will certainly be further developed in spite of many challenges.