18664102. DIGITAL MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM FOR SINGLE-CELL ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANALYTES simplified abstract (ILLUMINA, INC.)

DIGITAL MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM FOR SINGLE-CELL ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANALYTES

Organization Name

ILLUMINA, INC.

Inventor(s)

Arash Jamshidi of San Francisco CA (US)

Yan-you Lin of San Francisco CA (US)

Farnaz Absalan of San Francisco CA (US)

Sarah Stuart of San Francisco CA (US)

Gordon Cann of San Francisco CA (US)

Yir-Shyuan Wu of San Francisco CA (US)

Tarun Khurana of San Francisco CA (US)

Jeffrey S Fisher of San Francisco CA (US)

DIGITAL MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM FOR SINGLE-CELL ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANALYTES - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18664102 titled 'DIGITAL MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM FOR SINGLE-CELL ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANALYTES

The method described in the abstract involves capturing cells of interest in a digital microfluidic system using a droplet actuator and a microwell device.

• Droplet actuator is used to transport a sample droplet containing cells of interest to the microwell device.
• Microwell device has a substrate with multiple microwells that open onto a droplet operations surface.
• Capture beads are introduced to the microwells, with capture elements immobilized on them.
• Droplet actuator transports a cell lysis reagent droplet to the microwell device.
• Cell lysis reagent droplet enters the microwells and causes cells of interest to release analyte, captured by the capture elements on the capture beads.

Potential Applications: - Biomedical research - Drug discovery - Diagnostic testing

Problems Solved: - Efficient capture of cells of interest - Analysis of released analytes from cells

Benefits: - High throughput cell capture - Precise analysis of analytes - Automation of cell analysis processes

Commercial Applications: - Biotechnology companies - Pharmaceutical companies - Research institutions

Questions about the Technology: 1. How does this method improve upon traditional cell capture techniques? 2. What are the potential limitations of using a digital microfluidic system for cell analysis?

Frequently Updated Research: - Ongoing studies on improving the efficiency and accuracy of cell capture and analysis in digital microfluidic systems.

Original Abstract Submitted

In accordance with embodiments herein a method for capturing cells of interest in a digital microfluidic system is provided, comprising utilizing a droplet actuator to transport a sample droplet to a microwell device. The microwell device includes a substrate having a plurality of microwells that open onto a droplet operations surface of the microwell device. The sample droplet includes cells of interest that enter the microwells. The method introduces capture beads to the microwells, and the capture elements are immobilized on the capture beads. The method utilizes the droplet actuator to transport a cell lysis reagent droplet to the microwell device. Portions of the cell lysis reagent droplet enter the microwells and, during an incubation period, cause the cells of interest to release analyte that is captured by the capture elements on the capture beads.