A lab-on-a-chip is a device that integrates different laboratory functions in a single chip. The chip is usually millimeter to centimeters in size. The chip was discovered in the 1970’s but its usage has become more and more popular. Lab-on-a-chip is currently being applied in a wide range of medical uses. The discovery has allowed doctors to perform biochemical analysis within a few minutes with a drop of blood. With a lab-on-a-chip, doctors can do quick diagnostic tests and get information for treatment quickly. A chip has been developed where it can screen for chromosome mutations that cause a range of cancer.
     The benefits of a lab-on-a-chip include the convenience and portability to test anywhere, test samples can be much smaller due the sensitivity of the chip, and can be less expensive than the traditional lab process. Nanotechnology has made lab-on-a-chip possible, and can potentially be used to detect diseases like cancer or diabetes at a much earlier stage so treatments can be more effective.