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Counting Proteins in Single Cells with Addressable Droplet Microarrays
Published on: July 6, 2018
Quantitative detection of protein expression in single cells using droplet microfluidics
A Huebner1, M Srisa-Art, D Holt
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|March 16, 2007
Summary
Single cells are controllably compartmentalized in microdroplets for high-throughput screening. This method detects fluorescent protein expression in individual cells alongside droplet size and cell occupancy.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Microdroplet technology enables precise control over cellular environments.
- High-throughput screening is crucial for biological research and drug discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate controllable single-cell compartmentalization within aqueous microdroplets.
- To develop a high-throughput screening method using microdroplets.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing microfluidic devices to generate aqueous microdroplets.
- Encapsulating single cells within individual microdroplets.
- Detecting fluorescent protein expression in single cells.
- Simultaneously measuring microdroplet size and cell occupancy.
Main Results:
- Successfully achieved controllable single-cell compartmentalization.
- Demonstrated high-throughput detection of fluorescent protein expression.
- Established correlation between droplet characteristics and cell occupancy.
Conclusions:
- Microdroplet-based compartmentalization is an effective strategy for single-cell analysis.
- This approach facilitates high-throughput screening of cellular functions.
- The method offers a scalable platform for various biological applications.
