An integrated device for monitoring time-dependent in vitro expression from single genes in picolitre droplets.
Microdroplets have great potential for high-throughput biochemical screening. We report the design of an integrated microfluidic device for droplet formation, incubation and screening. Picolitre water-in-oil droplets can be stored in a reservoir that contains approximately 10(6) droplets. In this reservoir droplets are stable for at least 6 h, which gives an extended timescale for biochemical experiments. We demonstrate the utility of the system by following the in vitro expression of green fluorescent protein. The high efficiency allows protein expression from a single molecule of DNA template, creating "monoclonal droplets" in which genotype and phenotype are combined in one emulsion compartment.
Courtois
Fabienne
F
Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
Olguin
Luis F
LF
Whyte
Graeme
G
Bratton
Daniel
D
Huck
Wilhelm T S
WT
Abell
Chris
C
Hollfelder
Florian
F
D004867:Equipment Design; D015870:Gene Expression; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation*
D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins