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Controlling water transport between micelles and aqueous microdroplets during sample enrichment
Mao Fukuyama1, Lin Zhou2, Tetsuo Okada2
1Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku Sendai, 980-8577, Japan; PREST, Japan Science and Technology, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.
Analytica Chimica Acta
|February 8, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a novel droplet microfluidics method for deterministic droplet enrichment. This technique controls water transport using Span-80 micelles, enabling precise control over droplet size and concentration for bioassays.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Droplet microfluidics offers advantages for biological assays but faces challenges in sample enrichment.
- Deterministic control over droplet volume and concentration is crucial for improving assay sensitivity and reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and control water transport from aqueous microdroplets to an organic phase containing Span-80 micelles.
- To develop a method for deterministic droplet enrichment in microfluidic devices.
Main Methods:
- Investigated water transport from aqueous microdroplets to Span-80 micelles in an organic continuous phase.
- Controlled micelle hydration degree by contacting the organic phase with a NaCl aqueous solution.
- Applied the organic phase to microdroplets in microwells, inducing controlled droplet shrinkage.
Main Results:
- Water transport from microdroplets to micelles caused controlled droplet shrinkage to a specific diameter.
- Micelle hydration degree correlated with final water activity and determined the enrichment factor.
- Demonstrated enrichment of nanoparticles and dye, observed FRET, and performed avidin-biotin separation.
Conclusions:
- The developed technique enables deterministic control over droplet enrichment in microfluidics.
- This method offers a powerful pretreatment strategy for various droplet microfluidic bioassays.
