Call it the science of small, but a trio of University of Florida chemical engineers have developed a lab-on-a-chip process that could make a big difference for DNA research and, ultimately, patients.

Microfluidic technology miniaturizes complex laboratory processes — such as mixing, reactions, separations, etc. — into devices the size of a microscope slide. The UF team has developed a microfluidic device for DNA purification that could speed up analysis of laboratory samples and match or exceed the purity of existing methods.