Objective
.We aim to develop a technology based on compartmentalising billions of experiments into separate microdroplets in microfluidic devices. These microdroplets, which can have a volume as small as ~5 femtolitres, are separated from other microdroplets by an immiscible phase. Identical microdroplets (<3% polydispersity) can be formed rapidly (at up to 104s-1), allowing ultra-high throughput (109 per day).
Furthermore, the microdroplets can be fused, allowing reagents to be mixed in a combinatorial manner, and reactions to be started, stopped or modified at defined times. Splitting microdroplets allows their contents to be aliquoted. If the reactions result in an optical signal, a spatially-resolved optical image of the microfluidic network will allow reaction kinetics to be determined. It will also be possible to separate microdroplets using a microfluidic flow sorter to allow recovery and further analysis or manipulation of the molecules they contain, notably by mass spectrometry.
Fields of science
Keywords
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
FP6-2004-NEST-C-1
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Funding Scheme
STREP - Specific Targeted Research ProjectCoordinator
CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom