Modern biotechnology: Origination of paper-based analytical devices

Nowadays most of the biotechnological processes can be performed on benchtop platforms without the need for an expensive, space-consuming equipment. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of the conventional assays using biotechnological processes can be improved with the recent advancements in materials science and modern technology. One of the materials that aids chromatography, detection of biomarkers with response to a chemical/antibody/protein is “paper”. Hence, analysis of samples i.e., detection, separation, amplification of biomarkers/biomolecules using paper as a substrate can be termed “modern biotechnology”. This is a short review of paper microfluidics has benefitted a wide range of biotechnological/biomedical applications.