title: High-throughput deterministic single-cell encapsulation and droplet pairing, fusion, and shrinkage in a single microfluidic device.
abstract: In this article, we present a microfluidic device capable of successive high-yield single-cell encapsulation in droplets, with additional droplet pairing, fusion, and shrinkage. Deterministic single-cell encapsulation is realized using Dean-coupled inertial ordering of cells in a Yin-Yang-shaped curved microchannel using a double T-junction, with a frequency over 2000 Hz, followed by controlled droplet pairing with a 100% success rate. Subsequently, droplet fusion is realized using electrical actuation resulting in electro-coalescence of two droplets, each containing a single HL60 cell, with 95% efficiency. Finally, volume reduction of the fused droplet up to 75% is achieved by a triple pitchfork structure. This droplet volume reduction is necessary to obtain close cell-cell membrane contact necessary for final cell electrofusion, leading to hybridoma formation, which is the ultimate aim of this research.
authors.affiliation: BIOS Lab on a Chip group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rogier M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Schoeman
authors.forename: Evelien W M
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Kemna
authors.forename: Floor
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wolbers
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van den Berg
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004867:Equipment Design; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
keywords: Deterministic single-cell encapsulation; Droplets; High throughput; Micro-fluidics; Pairing