Editorial: Biomicrofluidics—Growing with the micro/nanofluidics community

This is an exciting time for the field of micro∕nanofluidics. Several techniques have reached maturity and are now being commercialized by promising start-ups: electrowetting, drop∕bubble microfluidics, soft-substrate actuation, electro-osmotic pumps, electrophoresis, static mixing, flow focusing, etc. Many more are being actively researched: ac electro-osmosis, dielectrophoresis, surface-acoustic actuation, ac electrospray, etc. Integration with recent advances in optical and nonoptical sensors and nanocrystal has produced the first miniature kits for rapid diagnostics and assays. I personally foresee a breakthrough biotechnology sector, with major roles played by micro∕nanofluidics, to rescue us from the current global recession. Besides leading us to new technologies, micro∕nanofluidics provides us with new tools to advance science. Recent understandings in the conformational transitions of DNA, cell assays to decipher protein expression pathways, transport in membrane ion channels and nanoporous materials, protein crystallization, endocytosis, and surface intermolecular forces have been achieved with micro∕nanofluidics. I am particularly excited about our new understanding of nonlinear electrical characteristics of nanoporous materials and nanochannels that has been achieved with micro∕nanofluidics. The scientific and technological advances should complement each other. For example, I believe that microfluidic manipulation of DNA with electric field in micro∕nanochannels will change our understanding of molecular polarizability and lead to new sequencing and hybridization technologies. It is this bridge between science and engineering that Biomicrofluidics hopes to provide as a publication venue. In its short two-year existence, Biomicrofluidics has published many of the papers on DNA manipulation and cell dielectrophoresis. Papers on these two subjects involve new biophysics extracted with micro∕nanofluidics—a unique identity that distinguishes Biomicrofluidics from more fabrication or numerically oriented journals. Our papers are heavily downloaded∕cited, and we expect a healthy SCI rating when it appears next year to reflect the quality of our papers. With major investments into nano- and microfabrication technologies, the Pacific Rim will be a significant player in this wave of exciting engineering and scientific activities in micro∕nanofluidics. With six members of its editorial board from this area, Biomicrofluidics would like to help foster an Asian micro∕nanofluidics community by organizing a referee base; and serving as a publication∕proceedings conduit and a community bulletin board. In response to input from the Pacific Rim researchers, a publication fee is no longer charged for articles published in Biomicrofluidics. In addition to our existing innovative features: multimedia capability and quick turnaround by expert referees, we will soon offer a Career page on our website for potential postdoctoral and professor candidates and their prospective employers. Our editors and a new AIP office, scheduled to open in Beijing in 2009, will offer editorial services such as tutorials on journal content and review policies and assistance with English translation. We, at Biomicrofluidics, would like to grow with the Asian micro∕nanofluidics community. The first two issues of our 2009 edition will be dedicated to invited reviews and contributed research papers from the 2009 Conference on Advances in Microfluidics and Nanofluidics (5-7 January, Hong Kong). We are excited to have played a role in organizing this kickoff conference and hope it becomes a regular one in Asia.