Abstract:
Devices and methods for generating droplets. An exemplary device comprises a substantially planar base portion including a bottom surface having a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein as recessed regions of the bottom surface. The device also comprises a plurality of protrusions projecting from a top surface of the base portion and each formed integrally with the base portion. The device further comprises a sample well, a carrier well, and a droplet well. Each well has an upper portion created by one of the protrusions. A cover layer is attached to the bottom surface of the base portion and seals a bottom side of each microfluidic channel.
Abstract:
Provided herein are improved methods, compositions, and kits for analysis of nucleic acids. The improved methods, compositions, and kits can enable copy number estimation of a nucleic acid in a sample. Also provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for determining the linkage of two or more copies of a target nucleic acid in a sample (e.g. whether the two or more copies are on the same chromosome or different chromosomes) or for phasing alleles.
Abstract:
Methods, devices, systems and compositions for detecting nucleic acids in polymerase chain reaction assays, such as droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assays, using intercalating dyes. A dual surfactant system with at least one fluorosurfactant and at least one non-ionic non-fluorosurfactant may be employed for droplet generation and nucleic acid detection.
Abstract:
System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for forming emulsions. In an exemplary method of generating droplets, a device may be selected that includes a plurality of emulsion-formation units each including a sample well, a continuous-phase well, a droplet well, and a channel network that fluidically interconnects the wells and creates a droplet-generation region. A discrete volume of sample-containing fluid may be placed into the sample well of each emulsion-formation unit, and a discrete volume of continuous-phase fluid into the continuous-phase well of each emulsion-formation unit. Pressure may be applied to the device with a fluidics assembly after the step of placing, such that the plurality of emulsion-formation units generate droplets in parallel with one another. A pressure signal may be detected from the fluidics assembly. Application of the pressure may be stopped when the pressure signal indicates that a sample well is empty.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for generating droplets. An exemplary device comprises a substantially planar base portion including a bottom surface having a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein as recessed regions of the bottom surface. The device also comprises a plurality of protrusions projecting from a top surface of the base portion and each formed integrally with the base portion. The device further comprises a sample well, a carrier well, and a droplet well. Each well has an upper portion created by one of the protrusions. A cover layer is attached to the bottom surface of the base portion and seals a bottom side of each microfluidic channel.
Abstract:
System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for forming emulsions. An exemplary system may comprise a device including a sample well configured to receive sample-containing fluid, a continuous-phase well configured to receive continuous-phase fluid, and a droplet well. The device also may include a channel network having a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another in a droplet-generation region. The system also may comprise a holder for the device. The system further may comprise an instrument configured to operatively receive an assembly including the device and the holder and to drive sample-containing fluid from the sample well to the droplet-generation region via the first channel, continuous-phase fluid from the continuous-phase well to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and sample-containing droplets from the droplet-generation region to the droplet well via the third channel.
Abstract:
System, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for performing a multiplexed digital assay on a greater number of targets through combinatorial use of signals.
Abstract:
System, including methods and apparatus, for performing droplet-based assays that are controlled and/or calibrated using signals detected from droplets.