Static microdroplet arrays: a microfluidic device for droplet trapping, incubation and release for enzymatic and cell-based assays.
We describe the design, fabrication and use of a single-layered poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic structure for the entrapment and release of microdroplets in an array format controlled entirely by liquid flow. Aqueous picoliter droplets are trapped en masse and optically monitored for extended periods of time. Such an array-based approach is used to characterize droplet shrinkage, aggregation of encapsulated E. coli cells and enzymatic reactions. We also demonstrate that trapped droplets may be recovered from the microfluidic array for further processing.
Huebner
Ansgar
A
Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK CB2 1GA.
Bratton
Dan
D
Whyte
Graeme
G
Yang
Min
M
Demello
Andrew J
AJ
Abell
Chris
C
Hollfelder
Florian
F
D000465:Algorithms; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004798:Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005453:Fluorescence; D005696:Galactosidases / Q000737:chemistry; D007834:Lasers; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D016944:Sulfolobus / Q000201:enzymology; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004798:Enzymes; D005696:Galactosidases; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein; C013830:baysilon