A new and efficient droplet collection method for droplet-based microfluidic systems

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Droplet-based microfludiics has become a method to be able to generate thousands or millions of tiny pico- and nano-liter droplets that can hold a variety of biological constituents. It is continuously being used for probing single cells and understanding the heterogeneity between cell populations. However, one of the biggest challenges with this technology is to be able to extract and to isolate droplets efficiently after they have been sorted by the device. The very tiny volumes and the lack of control presents challenges for the user to obtain the droplet from the device. In this proposal, the Shih lab from Concordia University is joining forces with the Merten lab at EPFL Lausanne to design an automated system for accurate collection of defined number of droplets containing sorted single cells by integrating digital microfluidics to the droplet microfluidic system to provide on-demand droplet control. We believe the on-demand droplet collection technique has great potential to be used in many areas involving single-cell analysis, especially applications involving precious or sensitive cells where losses cannot be tolerated.