Separation and aggregation of extracellular vesicles by microfluidics.

Membrane-bound extracellular vesicles (EVs) are more than mere messengers; they are the carriers of intercellular communication, carrying biomolecules for regulatory processes. They have potential in biomarker discovery and disease diagnosis for clinical applications. However, the exploration and utilization of EVs are currently constrained by the existing processing methodologies. Microfluidic technology is a versatile platform, achieving the efficient, consistent, and precise separation and aggregation of particles from the nanoscale to the microscale. It has great potential for EVs, enabling precise manipulation, separation, and aggregation in microchannels. This review explores active and passive microfluidic techniques, presenting a cost-effective and scalable solution for label-free separation. Their development is important for EV research, unlocking value in the in-depth study. Their innovative biomedical applications can revolutionize laboratory medicine, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine by fully realizing and harnessing the potential of EVs.