Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

DropletMicroarrays: Ultra High-Throughput Screening of Cells in 3D Microenvironments

Final Report Summary - DROPCELLARRAY (DropletMicroarrays: Ultra High-Throughput Screening of Cells in 3D Microenvironments)

As part of this ERC Starting Grant, DropCellArray, we have developed a new miniaturized platform for ultra high-throughput cell screening experiments. Individual cell experiments can be performed in thousands of completely isolated nanoliter droplet microreservoirs (Droplet Microarrays) with defined location permitting spatial indexing, time-lapse measurements and screening of both adherent or non-adherent cells, cancer cells or primary cells, eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. The superhydrophobic barriers, possessing the air-grid effect enable complete isolation of the microreservoirs and prevent cross-contamination and cell migration. Parallel manipulations, such as washing, addition of chemical libraries or staining have been developed and optimized. This Droplet Microarray technology opens completely new possibilities in the field of high-throughput screenings of live cells, screenings of rare primary or stem cells or in personalized medicine. In addition, we have demonstrated the possibility of high-throughput screening of cells in three-dimensional hydrogel environment or using 3D cell spheroids, or embryoid bodies, which resembles better the in-vivo cellular microenvironments. The droplet microarrays have been validated in multiple studies within the group as well as by collaborators in academia and pharmaceutical industry. Within this project we also further advanced the surface chemistry, photochemistry and patterning technology to create transparent and biocompatible superhydrophobic-hydrophilic micropatterns.