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 for partitioning a fluid, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a microfluidic network comprising a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel, wherein hydrodynamic resistance in the second fluid channel is lower than hydrodynamic resistance in the first fluid channel and wherein the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are in fluid communication with a first region; (b) flowing a first fluid through the first fluid channel, the first region, and the second fluid channel, wherein the first fluid causes hydrodynamic resistance in the second fluid channel to be higher than hydrodynamic resistance in the first fluid channel; and (c) flowing a second fluid in the first fluid channel, wherein the second fluid is immiscible with the first fluid, and wherein the second fluid bypasses the first region, thereby partitioning a portion of the first fluid in the first region.