Minimalist digital microfluidics for high-performance multiplexed protein POCT: A wash-free, sample-to-answer, and
Zhuoru Li1, Haibo Zhang2, Qingsheng Guo1
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|March 15, 2026
Summary
A new digital microfluidic platform enables rapid, sensitive protein testing at the point-of-care. This wash-free, multiplexed assay offers high accuracy for critical diagnostics like sepsis detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- High-performance protein point-of-care testing (POCT) is crucial for acute care decision-making.
- Existing POCT methods often compromise sensitivity, simplicity, or robustness.
- There is a need for advanced platforms for rapid, multiplexed protein biomarker detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an integrated digital microfluidic platform for multiplexed luminescence oxygen channeling immunoassay (iDMF-mLOCI).
- To create a wash-free, multiplexed suspension assay for protein POCT with enhanced performance.
- To demonstrate the diagnostic capability of the iDMF-mLOCI platform for sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized digital microfluidics (DMF) for precise droplet manipulation and wash-free assay development.
- Integrated on-chip plasma separation (<30s) and 100% bead retention.
- Performed multiplexed detection of protein biomarkers including IL-6, PCT, and HBP.
Main Results:
- Achieved fast on-chip plasma separation and wash-free processing, reducing assay time by 23%.
- Demonstrated high reproducibility with coefficients of variation (CVs) < 9.1%.
- Enabled sensitive detection of biomarkers with low limits of detection (LODs) using minimal sample volume (2.2 μL).
- Sepsis diagnostics showed high accuracy (AUC = 0.934) and strong correlation with central lab methods (R² > 0.94).
Conclusions:
- The iDMF-mLOCI platform offers a transformative sample-to-answer solution for high-performance protein POCT.
- This integrated system combines simplicity, multiplexing, sensitivity, and precision for critical care diagnostics.
- The developed platform advances the capabilities of POCT for rapid and accurate clinical decision-making.
