title: High-density self-contained microfluidic KOALA kits for use by everyone.
abstract: Cell-based assays are essential tools used by research labs in a wide range of fields, including cell biology, toxicology, and natural product discovery labs. However, in some situations, the need for cell-based assays does not justify the costs of maintaining cell culture facilities and retaining skilled staff. The kit-on-a-lid assay (KOALA) technology enables accessible low-cost and prepackageable microfluidic platforms that can be operated with minimal infrastructure or training. Here, we demonstrate and characterize high-density KOALA methods for high-throughput applications, achieving an assay density comparable to that of a 384-well plate and usability by hand with no liquid-handling equipment. We show the potential for high-content screening and complex assays such as quantitative immunochemistry assays requiring multiple steps and reagents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Guckenberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berthier
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA djbeebe@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Beebe
mesh_terms: D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D007120:Immunochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
keywords: assay; cell based; high throughput; low cost; microfluidic