title: A world-to-chip interface for digital microfluidics.
abstract: Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a fluid handling technique that enables manipulation of discrete droplets on an array of electrodes. There is considerable enthusiasm for this method because of the potential for array-based screening applications. A limitation for DMF is nonspecific adsorption of reagents to device surfaces. If a given device is used to actuate multiple reagents, this phenomenon can cause undesirable cross-contamination. A second limitation for DMF (and all other microfluidic systems) is the "world-to-chip" interface; it is notoriously difficult to deliver reagents and samples to such systems without compromising the oft-hyped advantages of rapid analyses and reduced reagent consumption. We introduce a new strategy for digital microfluidics, in which a removable plastic "skin" is used to (a) eliminate cross-contamination and (b) bridge the world-to-chip interface. We demonstrated the utility of this format by implementing on-chip protein digestion on immobilized enzyme depots. This new method has the potential to transform DMF from being a curiosity for aficionados into a technology that is useful for biochemical applications at large.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Vivienne N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abelgawad
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barbulovic-Nad
authors.forename: Aaron R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wheeler
mesh_terms: D004566:Electrodes; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins