Abstract:
Method of analyzing genomic DNA. Genomic DNA including a target may be obtained. The genomic DNA may be fragmented volitionally to produce fragmented DNA. The fragmented DNA may be passed through a droplet generator to generate aqueous droplets containing the fragmented DNA. An assay may be performed on the droplets to determine a level of the target. In some embodiments, the droplets may contain the genomic DNA at a concentration of at least about five nanograms per microliter, the droplets may be generated at a droplet generation frequency of at least about 50 droplets per second, the droplets may have an average volume of less than about 10 nanoliters per droplet, the droplets may generated at a flow rate of greater than about 50 nanoliters per second, or any combination thereof.
Abstract:
A system, including method and apparatus, for generating droplets suitable for droplet-based assays. The disclosed systems may include either one-piece or multi-piece droplet generation components configured to form sample-containing droplets by merging aqueous, sample-containing fluid with a background emulsion fluid such as oil, to form an emulsion of sample- containing droplets suspended in the background fluid. In some cases, the disclosed systems may include channels or other suitable mechanisms configured to transport the sample-containing droplets to an outlet region, so that subsequent assay steps may be performed.
Abstract:
System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for forming emulsions. The system may include an instrument and a microfluidic chip received by the instrument. The instrument may apply pressure to prospective emulsion phases held by the chip, to drive formation and collection of emulsions in the chip. In some embodiments, the instrument may stop applying pressure to the chip when a change in pressure meeting a predefined condition is detected by the instrument. The change may indicate that an endpoint of droplet generation has been reached.
Abstract:
System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for forming emulsions. The system may include an instrument and a microfluidic chip received by the instrument. The instrument may apply pressure to prospective emulsion phases held by the chip, to drive formation and collection of emulsions in the chip. In some embodiments, the instrument may stop applying pressure to the chip when a change in pressure meeting a predefined condition is detected by the instrument. The change may indicate that an endpoint of droplet generation has been reached.