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High-throughput microfluidic droplets in biomolecular analytical system: A review.
Lexiang Zhang1, Rokshana Parvin1, Mingshuo Chen1
1Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China; Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Tissue Repair Materials, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China.
Droplet microfluidics enables high-throughput screening by analyzing single cells and molecules in tiny droplets. This technology advances genomic data analysis, drug testing, and personalized medicine through precise cell sorting and multi-omics sequencing.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Genomics
Background:
- Droplet microfluidic technology offers precise control over micro-environments.
- It enables the analysis of single cells and molecules, preserving genotype-phenotype linkages.
- This technology is crucial for understanding biological heterogeneity and performing high-throughput screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in droplet microfluidic technology for screening applications.
- To highlight the capabilities of droplet microfluidics in analyzing genomic data and single cells.
- To discuss applications in drug susceptibility testing, cancer research, and directed evolution.
Main Methods:
- Encapsulation of picolitre droplets for uniform analysis.
- Development of droplet-based digital detection assays.
- Implementation of single-cell multi-omics sequencing within droplets.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated high sensitivity and throughput for genomic data analysis.
- Enabled multiplexing for cancer subtype identification and virus-host interaction studies.
- Facilitated large-scale screening and sorting of immune cells, antibodies, and proteins.
Conclusions:
- Droplet microfluidics is a powerful tool for diverse screening applications, from diagnostics to directed evolution.
- The technology enhances our ability to analyze complex biological systems at the single-cell level.
- Future perspectives include overcoming current challenges for broader practical deployment.
