Droplet-based light-sheet fluorescence microscopy for high-throughput sample preparation, 3-D imaging and quantitative analysis on a chip

We report a novel fusion of droplet microfluidics and light-sheet microscopy, to achieve high-throughput sample compartmentalization, manipulation and three-dimensional imaging on a chip. This optofluidic device characterized by orthogonal plane illumination and rapid liquid handling is compact and cost-effective, and capable of preparing sample droplets with tunable size, frequency and ingredient. Each droplet flowing through the device's imaging region is self-scanned by a laser-sheet, three-dimensionally reconstructed and quantitatively analysed. This simple-and-robust platform combines fast 3-D imaging with efficient sample preparation and eliminates the need of a complicated mechanical scan at the same time. Achieving 500 measurements per second and screening over 30 samples per minute, it shows great potential for various lab-on-a-chip biological studies, such as embryo sorting and cell growth assays.