Microfluidics for automating and integrating synthetic biology

用于自动化和集成合成生物学的微流控

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06712
• 负责人: Shih, Steve
• 金额: $ 2.26万
• 依托单位: Concordia University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=637038
• 关键词: Microfluidics; automating; integrating; synthetic; biology

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.

为了应对这一挑战，拟议的研究计划是开发用于合成生物学的微流体自动化平台。这种新工具将由数字微流体（DMF）提供动力，这是一种流体处理技术，可以在电极图案阵列上并行操纵〜nL体积。为了促进高通量应用，我们将 DMF 与通道内液滴集成——这是一种两相系统，它使用不混溶相来创建单分散液滴乳液，该乳液可以充当包含单细胞或化学试剂混合物的微反应器。为了促进自动化，这两种微流体范例将一起使用来创建含有 DNA 文库的液滴，这些液滴被转化为细菌或酵母，并且这些变体的功能将在定向进化筛选的基础上进行评估。该研究计划涵盖两个方向：(1) 微流体自动化和表征站 (M.A.C.S) 的开发，以及 (2) 合成生物学循环的微流体集成。