From specialization to broad adoption: Key trends in droplet microfluidic innovations enhancing accessibility to non-experts
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Droplet microfluidics has emerged as a versatile and powerful tool for various analytical applications, including single-cell studies, synthetic biology, directed evolution, and diagnostics. Initially, access to droplet microfluidics was predominantly limited to specialized technology labs. However, the landscape is shifting with the increasing availability of commercialized droplet manipulation technologies, thereby expanding its use to non-specialized labs. Although these commercial solutions offer robust platforms, their adaptability is often constrained compared to in-house developed devices. Consequently, both within the industry and academia, significant efforts are being made to further enhance the robustness and automation of droplet-based platforms, not only to facilitate technology transfer to non-expert laboratories but also to reduce experimental failures. This Perspective article provides an overview of recent advancements aimed at increasing the robustness and accessibility of systems enabling complex droplet manipulations. The discussion encompasses diverse aspects such as droplet generation, reagent addition, splitting, washing, incubation, sorting, and dispensing. Moreover, alternative techniques like double emulsions and hydrogel capsules, minimizing or eliminating the need for microfluidic operations by the end user, are explored. These developments are foreseen to facilitate the integration of intricate droplet manipulations by non-expert users in their workflows, thereby fostering broader and faster adoption across scientific domains.
Source: Biomicrofluidics
DOI: 10.1063/5.0242599
Institution: KU Leuven
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: G2760492421, G3425243807, G3458677535, Microfluidics for industry, Integrated Diagnostic and Life Science Research Tools (IDiaLiST), G3914414561, Development of a microfluidic platform for self-governing selection of individual B-cells using bioresponsive hydrogels: a source of fully human therapeutic antibodies, DNA nanosensor technology empowers ultrasensitive detection of multiple infectious diseases at the point-of-care, MIRACLE: autonomous microfluidic patch for plasmid-based vaccine, G5265071248, µForensiCell: Development and validation of a microfluidic device for single cell sorting in forensic casework, Micro-engineered tools for spatiotemporal transcriptomics of living cells: A case study on intercellular communication in melanoma, G6054007347, GlioSELECT: A multi-omic single-cell, functional precision oncology platform to guide personalized medicine in high-grade brain tumors, G7557195885, Dissecting the heterotypic cell communication networks at the perivascular niche to detect andintercept the early metastatic process, Microwave sensing in microfluidics for cell and extracellular vesicle characterization (MESMERIC)
OpenAlex ID: W4408099073