The speed of chemical reactions and separations in fluidic systems is often determined by diffusion processes. Downscaling the reaction devices called "lab-on-a-chip", result in extreme reduction of both, reaction times as well as sample consumption. Furthermore, number of units can be integrated on a single chip with the size of a few cm2 leading to high throughput at low cost.

In combination with fast and sensitive detection methods, a micro total analysis system "μTAS" is built consisting of sample loading (injection), separation and detection units. All steps are performed automatically. Fluorescence and/or electrochemical-based detection technique, or ion mobility spectrometry are implemented.

The goal of the microfluidics research is the application of analytical chemistry into clinical diagnostics, such as quantitative RNA assays, immunoassays and metabolite profiling for body fluids, i.e. blood, urine and sputum. In addition, extracellular metabolites of bacteria, cells, fungi, animals and humans are investigated by ion mobility spectrometry. We are especially interested in biomarkers in human breath with respect to intensive care unit (ICU) as well as point-of-care (PoC) applications.

The major contributions should be realised exemplarly in personalized medicine in general and early recognition of different lung diseases including lung cancer in particular. Research activities range from targeted fundamentals, e.g., biomimetic microfabrication through self-assembly all the way to instrument manufacturing and clinical diagnostics and includes data mining with respect to correlations of metabolites to specific diseases/cancer.