Global Biochip Markets: Microarrays and Lab-on-a-Chip

Biochips currently are undergoing an important transition from primarily research-and-development tools to applied applications in next-generation sequencing, drug discovery and development, and clinical diagnostics. This shift toward clinical and applied markets is driven by large-scale efforts to associate genetic variation with disease susceptibility and progression. At the same time, miniaturization and integration of biochip devices is occurring. These factors drive down biochip costs, increase their portability, and validate their use as clinical diagnostics. This report’s scope includes the major biochip technologies that are likely to become commercialized within 5 years. Influencing factors, including large-scale integration, microfluidics, nanotechnology, large-scale biochip, genomic and proteomic research initiatives, cancer diagnostic and treatment trends, and drug discovery and development needs, are discussed.

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Medical Lasers: Technologies and Global Markets

Medical lasers are a multibillion-dollar global industry. Lasers are used in a wide range of medical applications, from cosmetic procedures to diagnosis and therapy. The global recession that started in 2008 has had a significant negative impact on the market for medical lasers. Much of the demand for medical lasers comes from elective procedures such as laser-assisted eye surgery, which many consumers are postponing as they tighten their belts in response to the recession. Somewhat paradoxically, the market for lasers used in certain minimally invasive cosmetic surgical procedures (e.g., hair restoration, photo-rejuvenation with intense pulsed light, and laser body contouring) has held relatively well in the recession. Meanwhile, the market for lasers used in surgical applications that cannot wait until the economy turns around has remained comparatively strong.