Microfluidics: A Game-Changer for Ice-Nucleating Particle Detection?

A new review by Biodetection Technologies Hub researchers explores how microfluidics – miniaturised ‘lab-on-a-chip’ technology – could revolutionise the detection of biological ice-nucleating particles (INPs). 

The paper, published in Biomicrofluidics, exemplifies the collaborative spirit of the Hub, with contributions from researchers at both University of Leeds and University of Hertfordshire, and external partner Rothamsted Research. It highlights how microfluidics could transform our ability to study INPs – tiny atmospheric particles that influence cloud formation and climate.

The review is authored by Dr. Mark Tarn, Polly Foster, and Professor Ben Murray (University of Leeds), alongside Professors Ian Johnston and Dan McCluskey (University of Hertfordshire), Dr Sally Peyman (Heriot-Watt University), Dr Kirsty Shaw (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Professor Jon West (Rothamsted).

Unlocking the mysteries of Ice-Nucleating Particles

INPs play a key role in cloud microphysics, drastically affecting cloud properties and precipitation, and in turn having a substantial influence on weather and climate. Despite their importance, INPs remain one of the least understood components of atmospheric aerosols, with major gaps in knowledge about their sources, concentrations, and seasonal variability.

Current detection methods are typically slow, laborious, and require extensive lab work, limiting the ability to monitor INPs on a large scale. The review explores how microfluidics – already widely used in medical diagnostics – could offer a step-change in automated, high-throughput bioaerosol analysis.

The Potential of Microfluidics

Microfluidic devices allow the manipulation and analysis of tiny liquid droplets, which would enable rapid, high throughput testing of biological and biogenic INPs. The review envisions a next-generation ‘sample-to-answer’ microfluidic platform, integrating:

• Automated bioaerosol detection, identifying biological INPs in real time;

• Miniaturised sampling technologies for portable, field-based analysis;

• Faster, more scalable INP measurements to improve climate models.

This would enable a deeper understanding of their global and seasonal activity.

Dr Tarn explains: “Microfluidic platforms are already transforming medical diagnostics. By applying the same principles to atmospheric research, there is the potential to revolutionise bioaerosol detection and climate science, for example, in the identification and quantification of ice-nucleating bacteria and fungi.”

The review captures the interdisciplinary approach of the Hub, bringing together atmospheric scientists, engineers, chemists, biologists and bioaerosol specialists to advance biodetection technologies.

Full article: Mark D. Tarn, Kirsty J. Shaw, Polly B. Foster, Jon S. West, Ian D. Johnston, Daniel K. McCluskey, Sally A. Peyman, Benjamin J. Murray; Microfluidics for the biological analysis of atmospheric ice-nucleating particles: Perspectives and challenges. Biomicrofluidics, 2025, 19 (1), 011502. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0236911