1
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Harriot J, Yeh M, Pabba M, DeVoe DL. Programmable Control of Nanoliter Droplet Arrays using Membrane Displacement Traps. ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES 2023; 8:2300963. [PMID: 38495529 PMCID: PMC10939115 DOI: 10.1002/admt.202300963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
A unique droplet microfluidic technology enabling programmable deterministic control over complex droplet operations is presented. The platform provides software control over user-defined combinations of droplet generation, capture, ejection, sorting, splitting, and merging sequences to enable the design of flexible assays employing nanoliter-scale fluid volumes. The system integrates a computer vision system with an array of membrane displacement traps capable of performing selected unit operations with automated feedback control. Sequences of individual droplet handling steps are defined through a robust Python-based scripting language. Bidirectional flow control within the microfluidic chips is provided using an H-bridge channel topology, allowing droplets to be transported to arbitrary trap locations within the array for increased operational flexibility. By enabling automated software control over all droplet operations, the system significantly expands the potential of droplet microfluidics for diverse biological and biochemical applications by combining the functionality of robotic liquid handling with the advantages of droplet-based fluid manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Harriot
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
- Fishell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Michael Yeh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
- Fishell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Mani Pabba
- Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Don L. DeVoe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
- Fishell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
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2
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Duchamp M, Arnaud M, Bobisse S, Coukos G, Harari A, Renaud P. Microfluidic Device for Droplet Pairing by Combining Droplet Railing and Floating Trap Arrays. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1076. [PMID: 34577720 PMCID: PMC8470175 DOI: 10.3390/mi12091076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics are characterized by the generation and manipulation of discrete volumes of solutions, generated with the use of immiscible phases. Those droplets can then be controlled, transported, analyzed or their content modified. In this wide droplet microfluidic toolbox, no means are available to generate, in a controlled manner, droplets co-encapsulating to aqueous phases. Indeed, current methods rely on random co-encapsulation of two aqueous phases during droplet generation or the merging of two random droplets containing different aqueous phases. In this study, we present a novel droplet microfluidic device to reliably and efficiently co-encapsulate two different aqueous phases in micro-droplets. In order to achieve this, we combined existing droplet microfluidic modules in a novel way. The different aqueous phases are individually encapsulated in droplets of different sizes. Those droplet populations are then filtered in order to position each droplet type towards its adequate trapping compartment in traps of a floating trap array. Single droplets, each containing a different aqueous phase, are thus paired and then merged. This pairing at high efficiency is achieved thanks to a unique combination of floating trap arrays, a droplet railing system and a droplet size-based filtering mechanism. The microfluidic chip design presented here provides a filtering threshold with droplets larger than 35 μm (big droplets) being deviated to the lower rail while droplets smaller than 20 μm (small droplets) remain on the upper rail. The effects of the rail height and the distance between the two (upper and lower) rails were investigated. The optimal trap dimensions provide a trapping efficiency of 100% for small and big droplets with a limited double trapping (both compartments of the traps filled with the same droplet type) of 5%. The use of electrocoalescence enables the generation of a droplet while co-encapsulating two aqueous phases. Using the presented microfluidic device libraries of 300 droplets, dual aqueous content can be generated in less than 30 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Duchamp
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Marion Arnaud
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.A.); (S.B.); (G.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Sara Bobisse
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.A.); (S.B.); (G.C.); (A.H.)
| | - George Coukos
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.A.); (S.B.); (G.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Alexandre Harari
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.A.); (S.B.); (G.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Philippe Renaud
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
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3
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Li C, Gong Y, Wang X, Xu J, Ma B. Integrated Addressable Dynamic Droplet Array (aDDA) as Sub-Nanoliter Reactors for High-Coverage Genome Sequencing of Single Yeast Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2100325. [PMID: 34296526 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202100325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
An addressable dynamic droplet array (aDDA) is presented that combines the advantages of static droplet arrays and continuous-flow droplet platforms. Modular fabrication is employed to create a self-contained integrated aDDA. All the sample preparation steps, including single-cell isolation, cell lysis, amplification, and product retrieval, are performed in sequence within a sub-nanoliter (≈300 pL) droplet. Sequencing-based validation suggests that aDDA reduces the amplification bias of multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and elevates the percentage of one-yeast-cell genome recovery to 91%, as compared to the average of 26% using conventional, 20 µL volume MDA reactions. Thus, aDDA is a valuable addition to the toolbox for high-genome-coverage sequencing of single microbial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Li
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Yanhai Gong
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Xixian Wang
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Bo Ma
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
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4
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Ma D, Liang D, Zhu C, Fu T, Ma Y, Yuan X, Li HZ. The breakup dynamics and mechanism of viscous droplets in Y-shaped microchannels. Chem Eng Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2020.116300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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5
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Guo W, Zhu C, Fu T, Ma Y. Controllable Droplet Coalescence in the T-Junction Microchannel with a Funnel-Typed Expansion Chamber. Ind Eng Chem Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.0c00803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Weixi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Chunying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Taotao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Youguang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
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6
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Chang YJ, Yang HW, Yao LH, Yang WT. Droplet-Based Immunosensor for Simultaneous Immunoassays of Multiplex Histidine-Tagged Proteins. SLAS Technol 2020; 25:132-139. [DOI: 10.1177/2472630319879647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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7
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Liang D, Ma P, Zhu C, Fu T, Ma Y, Wang K, Luo G. Manipulable Formation of Ferrofluid Droplets in Y-Shaped Flow-Focusing Microchannels. Ind Eng Chem Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b02516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Di Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Pengcheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Chunying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Taotao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Youguang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Kai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Guangsheng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
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8
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Babahosseini H, Misteli T, DeVoe DL. Microfluidic on-demand droplet generation, storage, retrieval, and merging for single-cell pairing. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:493-502. [PMID: 30623951 PMCID: PMC6692136 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc01178h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A multifunctional microfluidic platform combining on-demand aqueous-phase droplet generation, multi-droplet storage, and controlled merging of droplets selected from a storage library in a single integrated microfluidic device is described. A unique aspect of the technology is a microfluidic trap design comprising a droplet trap chamber and lateral bypass channels integrated with a microvalve that supports the capture and merger of multiple droplets over a wide range of individual droplet sizes. A storage unit comprising an array of microfluidic traps operates in a first-in first-out manner, allowing droplets stored within the library to be analyzed before sequentially delivering selected droplets to a downstream merging zone, while shunting other droplets to waste. Performance of the microfluidic trap is investigated for variations in bypass/chamber hydrodynamic resistance ratio, micro-chamber geometry, trapped droplet volume, and overall flow rate. The integrated microfluidic platform is then utilized to demonstrate the operational steps necessary for cell-based assays requiring the isolation of defined cell populations with single cell resolution, including encapsulation of individual cells within an aqueous-phase droplet carrier, screening or incubation of the immobilized cell-encapsulated droplets, and generation of controlled combinations of individual cells through the sequential droplet merging process. Beyond its utility for cell analysis, the presented platform represents a versatile approach to robust droplet generation, storage, and merging for use in a wide range of droplet-based microfluidics applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesam Babahosseini
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA and Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742 USA.
| | - Tom Misteli
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Don L DeVoe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742 USA.
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9
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Dhiman S, Jayaprakash KS, Iqbal R, Sen AK. Self-Transport and Manipulation of Aqueous Droplets on Oil-Submerged Diverging Groove. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:12359-12368. [PMID: 30226788 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b01889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We report experimental study of self-transport of aqueous droplets along an oil-submerged diverging groove structure. The migration phenomenon is illustrated, and the effect of various parameters such as droplet size d, oil layer thickness h, groove angle 2θ, and groove thickness δ on the droplet transport behavior (i.e., migration velocity and length) is investigated. Our study reveals that complete engulfment of aqueous droplets in the oil layer, that is attributed to a positive spreading parameter ( S > 0), is a prerequisite for the droplet transport. The results show that only droplets of diameter larger than the oil layer thickness (i.e., d ≥ h) get transported owing to a differential Laplace pressure between the leading and trailing faces of a droplet because of the diverging groove. Using experimental data, the variation of droplet migration velocity with distance along the diverging groove is correlated as U( x) = ψ x-0.9, where ψ = d0.32θ-2.2 h-1.5δ0.7. The submerged groove structure was used to demonstrate simultaneous and sequential coalescence and transport of multiple droplets. Finally, the submerged groove structure was employed for extraction of aqueous droplets from oil. The proposed technique opens up a new avenue for evaporation and contamination free transport and coalescence of droplets for chemical and biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dhiman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Madras , Chennai 600036 , India
| | - K S Jayaprakash
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Madras , Chennai 600036 , India
| | - R Iqbal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Madras , Chennai 600036 , India
| | - A K Sen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Madras , Chennai 600036 , India
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10
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Yoon DH, Tanaka D, Sekiguchi T, Shoji S. Size-Dependent and Property-Independent Passive Microdroplet Sorting by Droplet Transfer on Dot Rails. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E513. [PMID: 30424446 PMCID: PMC6215178 DOI: 10.3390/mi9100513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A fully passive microdroplet sorting method is presented in this paper. On the rails with dot patterns, the droplets were sorted in different ways depending on their size. However, the effect of droplet properties on the threshold size of the sorting was eliminated. The droplet positions on two railways and the Laplace pressure of the droplets on the dot patterns allowed selective droplet transfer according to size. Different gaps between the rails altered the threshold size of the transfer. However, the threshold size was independent of the droplet's surface tension and viscosity because the droplet transfer utilized only the droplet position and Laplace pressure without lateral flow to sort targets. This feature has a high potential for bio/chemical applications requiring categorization of droplet targets consisting of various mixtures as pre- or post-elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hyun Yoon
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1, Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan.
| | - Daiki Tanaka
- Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, 513, Tsurumaki-cho, Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan.
| | - Tetsushi Sekiguchi
- Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, 513, Tsurumaki-cho, Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan.
| | - Shuichi Shoji
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1, Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan.
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11
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Aubry G, Lu H. Droplet array for screening acute behaviour response to chemicals in Caenorhabditis elegans. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:4303-4311. [PMID: 29120477 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00945c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent model organism for studying chemosensation as a significant part of its nervous system and genome are devoted to the detection of chemical cues. Studies of decision-making, learning, mating behaviour, and intraspecies communication require measuring the acute behavioural response to chemical stimulation. Such assays require precise and repeatable chemical delivery and are often arduous when performed manually. Microfluidic platforms have been developed for chemosensation studies in C. elegans. However, these platforms lack temporal resolution in chemical delivery necessary for screening acute behaviour and cannot selectively recover animals, a necessary feature for genetic screens. Here we present a droplet array for screening acute behavioural responses of C. elegans to chemical stimulation. Using droplets enables isolating the worms and controlling the chemical environment. The chamber design of the static array allows continuous monitoring of animal behaviour. By combining a gradient of confinement and flow restriction features, we demonstrate selective and sequential trapping of multiple droplets as well as their release on demand. These functions enable repeated capture of animals, monitoring of their behaviour upon chemical stimulation and subsequent release. To demonstrate the ability to screen multiple conditions, we measured worm thrashing activity in response to different concentrations of tetramisole. To illustrate the ability to capture acute behavioural responses, we monitored the behavioural response of male to pheromone stimulation. Due to the versatility of the chamber operation and its ultra-low volume uses of reagents, we envision this platform to be highly suited to combinatorial screening and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Aubry
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
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12
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13
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Kim CM, Kim GM. 1600 Parallel Microchamber Microfluidic Device for Fast Sample Array Preparation Using the Immiscibility of Two Liquids. MICROMACHINES 2017. [PMCID: PMC6190353 DOI: 10.3390/mi8030063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gyu Man Kim
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-950-7570; Fax: +82-53-950-6550
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14
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Wang X, Liu Z, Pang Y. Concentration gradient generation methods based on microfluidic systems. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra04494a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Various concentration gradient generation methods based on microfluidic systems are summarized in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wang
- College of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Electronics Technology
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing 100124
- China
| | - Zhaomiao Liu
- College of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Electronics Technology
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing 100124
- China
| | - Yan Pang
- College of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Electronics Technology
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing 100124
- China
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15
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Jeong HH, Lee B, Jin SH, Jeong SG, Lee CS. A highly addressable static droplet array enabling digital control of a single droplet at pico-volume resolution. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:1698-707. [PMID: 27075732 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00212a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics enabling exquisite liquid-handling has been developed for diagnosis, drug discovery and quantitative biology. Compartmentalization of samples into a large number of tiny droplets is a great approach to perform multiplex assays and to improve reliability and accuracy using a limited volume of samples. Despite significant advances in microfluidic technology, individual droplet handling in pico-volume resolution is still a challenge in obtaining more efficient and varying multiplex assays. We present a highly addressable static droplet array (SDA) enabling individual digital manipulation of a single droplet using a microvalve system. In a conventional single-layer microvalve system, the number of microvalves required is dictated by the number of operation objects; thus, individual trap-and-release on a large-scale 2D array format is highly challenging. By integrating double-layer microvalves, we achieve a "balloon" valve that preserves the pressure-on state under released pressure; this valve can allow the selective releasing and trapping of 7200 multiplexed pico-droplets using only 1 μL of sample without volume loss. This selectivity and addressability completely arranged only single-cell encapsulated droplets from a mixture of droplet compositions via repetitive selective trapping and releasing. Thus, it will be useful for efficient handling of miniscule volumes of rare or clinical samples in multiplex or combinatory assays, and the selective collection of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heon-Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byungjin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Si Hyung Jin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seong-Geun Jeong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chang-Soo Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Labanieh L, Nguyen TN, Zhao W, Kang DK. Floating Droplet Array: An Ultrahigh-Throughput Device for Droplet Trapping, Real-time Analysis and Recovery. MICROMACHINES 2015; 6:1469-1482. [PMID: 27134760 PMCID: PMC4849166 DOI: 10.3390/mi6101431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
We describe the design, fabrication and use of a dual-layered microfluidic device for ultrahigh-throughput droplet trapping, analysis, and recovery using droplet buoyancy. To demonstrate the utility of this device for digital quantification of analytes, we quantify the number of droplets, which contain a β-galactosidase-conjugated bead among more than 100,000 immobilized droplets. In addition, we demonstrate that this device can be used for droplet clustering and real-time analysis by clustering several droplets together into microwells and monitoring diffusion of fluorescein, a product of the enzymatic reaction of β-galactosidase and its fluorogenic substrate FDG, between droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Weian Zhao
- Correspondence: (W.Z.); (D.-K.K.); Tel.: +1-949-824-8035- (D.-K.K.)
| | - Dong-Ku Kang
- Correspondence: (W.Z.); (D.-K.K.); Tel.: +1-949-824-8035- (D.-K.K.)
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17
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Jeong HH, Jin SH, Lee BJ, Kim T, Lee CS. Microfluidic static droplet array for analyzing microbial communication on a population gradient. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:889-899. [PMID: 25494004 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc01097c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a type of cell-cell communication using signal molecules that are released and detected by cells, which respond to changes in their population density. A few studies explain that QS may operate in a density-dependent manner; however, due to experimental challenges, this fundamental hypothesis has never been investigated. Here, we present a microfluidic static droplet array (SDA) that combines a droplet generator with hydrodynamic traps to independently generate a bacterial population gradient into a parallel series of droplets under complete chemical and physical isolation. The SDA independently manipulates both a chemical concentration gradient and a bacterial population density. In addition, the bacterial population gradient in the SDA can be tuned by a simple change in the number of sample plug loading. Finally, the method allows the direct analysis of complicated biological events in an addressable droplet to enable the characterization of bacterial communication in response to the ratio of two microbial populations, including two genetically engineered QS circuits, such as the signal sender for acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) production and the signal receiver bacteria for green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression induced by AHL. For the first time, we found that the population ratio of the signal sender and receiver indicates a significant and potentially interesting partnership between microbial communities. Therefore, we envision that this simple SDA could be a useful platform in various research fields, including analytical chemistry, combinatorial chemistry, synthetic biology, microbiology, and molecular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heon-Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Zhou B, Wang C, Xiao X, Hui YS, Cao Y, Wen W. Controllable microdroplet splitting via additional lateral flow and its application in rapid synthesis of multi-scale microspheres. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra15552a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrated that controllable microdroplet splitting could be obtained via simply applying a lateral flow at a bifurcation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingpu Zhou
- Nano Science and Technology Program
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- Hong Kong
| | - Cong Wang
- Nano Science and Technology Program
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- Hong Kong
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Physics and KAUST-HKUST Micro/Nanofluidic Joint Laboratory
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- Hong Kong
| | - Yu Sanna Hui
- Nano Science and Technology Program
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- Hong Kong
| | - Yulin Cao
- Department of Physics and KAUST-HKUST Micro/Nanofluidic Joint Laboratory
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- Hong Kong
| | - Weijia Wen
- Nano Science and Technology Program
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- Hong Kong
- Department of Physics and KAUST-HKUST Micro/Nanofluidic Joint Laboratory
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19
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Lee H, Xu L, Oh KW. Droplet-based microfluidic washing module for magnetic particle-based assays. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2014; 8:044113. [PMID: 25379098 PMCID: PMC4189219 DOI: 10.1063/1.4892495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we propose a continuous flow droplet-based microfluidic platform for magnetic particle-based assays by employing in-droplet washing. The droplet-based washing was implemented by traversing functionalized magnetic particles across a laterally merged droplet from one side (containing sample and reagent) to the other (containing buffer) by an external magnetic field. Consequently, the magnetic particles were extracted to a parallel-synchronized train of washing buffer droplets, and unbound reagents were left in an original train of sample droplets. To realize the droplet-based washing function, the following four procedures were sequentially carried in a droplet-based microfluidic device: parallel synchronization of two trains of droplets by using a ladder-like channel network; lateral electrocoalescence by an electric field; magnetic particle manipulation by a magnetic field; and asymmetrical splitting of merged droplets. For the stable droplet synchronization and electrocoalescence, we optimized droplet generation conditions by varying the flow rate ratio (or droplet size). Image analysis was carried out to determine the fluorescent intensity of reagents before and after the washing step. As a result, the unbound reagents in sample droplets were significantly removed by more than a factor of 25 in the single washing step, while the magnetic particles were successfully extracted into washing buffer droplets. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate a magnetic particle-based immunoassay with streptavidin-coated magnetic particles and fluorescently labelled biotin in the proposed continuous flow droplet-based microfluidic platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hun Lee
- SMALL (Sensors and MicroActuators Learning Lab), Department of Electrical Engineering, The State University of New York at Buffalo , Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
| | - Linfeng Xu
- SMALL (Sensors and MicroActuators Learning Lab), Department of Electrical Engineering, The State University of New York at Buffalo , Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
| | - Kwang W Oh
- SMALL (Sensors and MicroActuators Learning Lab), Department of Electrical Engineering, The State University of New York at Buffalo , Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
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Wang N, Mao S, Liu W, Wu J, Li H, Lin JM. Online monodisperse droplets based liquid–liquid extraction on a continuously flowing system by using microfluidic devices. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra00984c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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Korczyk PM, Derzsi L, Jakieła S, Garstecki P. Microfluidic traps for hard-wired operations on droplets. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:4096-102. [PMID: 23970204 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc50347j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We present microfluidic modules (traps) that allow us to lock, shift, dose and merge micro-aliquots of liquid precisely. The precision is hard-wired into the geometry of the device: small values of the capillary number guarantee reproducibility of operation over a range of rates of flow that need not be controlled precisely. The modules can be integrated into systems that perform complicated protocols on micro-droplets while not requiring precision in forcing the flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr M Korczyk
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5B, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland.
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Xu L, Lee H, Panchapakesan R, Oh KW. Fusion and sorting of two parallel trains of droplets using a railroad-like channel network and guiding tracks. LAB ON A CHIP 2012; 12:3936-42. [PMID: 22814673 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc40456g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
We propose a robust droplet fusion and sorting method for two parallel trains of droplets that is relatively insensitive to frequency and phase mismatch. Conventional methods of droplet fusion require an extremely precise control of aqueous/oil flows for perfect frequency matching between two trains of droplets. In this work, by combining our previous two methods (i.e., droplet synchronization using railroad-like channels and manipulation of shape-dependent droplets using guiding tracks), we realized an error-free droplet fusion/sorting device for the two parallel trains of droplets. If droplet pairs are synchronized through a railroad-like channel, they are electrically fused and the fused droplets transit to a middle guiding track to flow in a middle channel; otherwise non-synchronized non-fused droplets will be discarded into the side waste channels by flowing through their own guiding tracks. The simple droplet synchronization, fusion, and sorting technology will have widespread application in droplet-based chemical or biological experiments, where two trains of the chemically or biologically treated or pre-formed droplets yield a train of 100% one-to-one fused droplets at the desired outlet channel by sorting all the non-synchronized non-fused droplets into waste outlets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfeng Xu
- SMALL (Sensors and MicroActuators Learning Lab), Department of Electrical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY at Buffalo), Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
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