Microfluidics for automating and integrating synthetic biology

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In response to this challenge, the proposed research program is to develop microfluidic automation platforms for synthetic biology. This new tool will be powered by digital microfluidics (DMF), a fluid handling technique in which ~nL volumes can be manipulated in parallel on a patterned array of electrodes. To facilitate high-throughput applications, we will integrate DMF with droplet-in-channels – a two-phase system where it uses immiscible phases to create emulsions of monodisperse droplets that can act as microreactors containing a single cell or a cocktail of chemical reagents. To facilitate automation, these two microfluidic paradigms will be used together to create droplets containing DNA libraries that are transformed into bacteria or yeast and the functionality of these variants will be evaluated on the basis of directed evolution screening. This research program spans two streams: (1) development of a Microfluidic Automation and Characterization Station (M.A.C.S), and (2) microfluidic integration of the synthetic biology cycle.