A Comprehensive Exploration of Microfluidics in Precision Livestock Farming for Disease Detection and Management

Abstract

Precision livestock farming utilizes advanced technologies to monitor the health and wellbeing of livestock. Microfluidics, the science of manipulating and controlling fluids in miniaturized devices, shows immense promise for the early detection and management of diseases in livestock. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current and emerging applications of microfluidics in precision livestock farming, specifically for disease diagnosis and management. An overview of microfluidics fundamentals and key techniques such as lab-on-a-chip, organ/body-on-a-chip, and point-of-care diagnostics pertinent to the livestock industry is provided. Detailed insights into the use of microfluidics for detection of key livestock diseases affecting cattle, poultry, swine and aquaculture are presented. Future perspectives on the integration of microfluidics with other emerging technologies including nanotechnology, synthetic biology and AI/ML for predictive health monitoring and rapid response are discussed. Overall, this paper underlines the significant benefits microfluidic biosensors could provide for early disease diagnosis, continuous health monitoring, and data-driven management decisions in livestock production.