MANIPULATION OF FLUIDS, FLUID COMPONENTS AND REACTIONS IN MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS

摘要

Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
providing a microfluidic network comprising a first region and a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the first region; flowing a first fluid in a first direction in the microfluidic channel; flowing a second fluid in the first direction in the microfluidic channel; partitioning at least a portion of the first fluid at the first region, at least in part through action of the second fluid, so as to form a first droplet of the first fluid at the first region; and maintaining the droplet at the first region while the second fluid is flowing in the first direction.