公开(公告)号：US20200171501A1

公开(公告)日：2020-06-04

申请号：US16661310

申请日：2019-10-23

Applicant: Berkeley Lights, Inc.

Inventor： Jason M. McEwen ,  Magali Soumillon ,  Shao Ning Pei ,  Randall D. Lowe, Jr. ,  Samira A. Nedungadi ,  Volker L.S. Kurz ,  Jian Gong ,  Yara X. Mejia Gonzalez ,  Mckenzi S. Toh ,  Brian A. Rabkin ,  Jason C. Briggs ,  Darcy K. Kelly-Greene ,  James M. Porter, Jr.

IPC: B01L3/00 ,  B01L7/00 ,  B03C5/00 ,  B03C5/02

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration and an optimized droplet actuation surface are provided for processing biological cells, e.g., for use in nucleic acid library preparation and/or synthesis (including amplification). The devices include a dielectric layer, a hydrophobic layer covalently bonded to the dielectric layer, and a first electrode. Methods of nucleic acid library preparation and/or synthesis can involve providing reagents to cells or nucleic acids by merging appropriate droplets on a droplet actuation surface within a water-immiscible organic liquid and can be performed in the presence of appropriate surfactants. The hydrophobic layer features self-associating molecules covalently bonded to a surface of the dielectric layer in a manner that produces a densely-packed monolayer that resists intercalation and or penetration by polar molecules or species. Also provided are systems for temperature control of the microfluidic device during nucleic acid library preparation and/or synthesis which can reduce temperature overshooting during heating and cooling steps.

公开(公告)号：US10766033B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-08

申请号：US16024624

申请日：2018-06-29

Applicant: BERKELEY LIGHTS, INC.

Inventor： X. Robert Bao ,  Jason M. McEwen ,  Brian A. Rabkin

IPC: G01N35/10 ,  B01L3/00 ,  G01N35/00

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for improved droplet generation within microfluidic apparatuses. Electrowetting forces of varying configurations may be used to separate droplets from a fluidic reservoir in a reproducible and rapid manner. In many embodiments, separation of droplets from the fluidic reservoir is performed without the use of highly specialized surfactants.