High-throughput screening by droplet microfluidics: perspective into key challenges and future prospects. Issue 13 (5th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Payne, Emory M.; Holland-Moritz, Daniel A.; Sun, Shuwen; Kennedy, Robert T.
• Is Part Of: Lab on a chip. Volume 20:Issue 13(2020)
• Page Start: 2247
• Page End: 2262
• Publication Date: 2020-06-05
• Subjects: Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Combinatorial chemistry -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 543.0813
• DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00347f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0197

Abstract

Abstract : This perspective outlines the major challenges and future prospects for the field of droplet microfluidics for high throughput screening applications. Abstract : In two decades of development, impressive strides have been made for automating basic laboratory operations in droplet-based microfluidics, allowing the emergence of a new form of high-throughput screening and experimentation in nanoliter to femtoliter volumes. Despite advancements in droplet storage, manipulation, and analysis, the field has not yet been widely adapted for many high-throughput screening (HTS) applications. Broad adoption and commercial development of these techniques require robust implementation of strategies for the stable storage, chemical containment, generation of libraries, sample tracking, and chemical analysis of these small samples. We discuss these challenges for implementing droplet HTS and highlight key strategies that have begun to address these concerns. Recent advances in the field leave us optimistic about the future prospects of this rapidly developing technology.