Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Integrated droplet microfluidic device for ultra-high throughput biochemical applications |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Focus area : | Biomedical Engineering |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Jayaprakash KS, Birla Institute Of Technology & Science Pilani (BITS), Hyderabad Campus, Telangana |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | jayaprakash.ks@hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in |
Details
Executive Summary : | Sample preparation has been a major hurdle in the development of cost effective, high-throughput biochemical screening methods. Sample preparation becomes more laborious and expensive even with the most advanced robotic liquid handling system, especially, when the protocol has several steps and when the sample libraries are huge in numbers (in the order of 1000s to 1,00,000s). Microfluidics-based biochemical techniques, through miniaturisation, has led to lower consumption of reagents thereby reduction of running cost, possibility of automation, and more importantly greater control of reaction kinetics. Droplet-based microfluidic systems can produce and handle droplets at a throughput of 100 Hz to 10 kHz. Though droplet microfluidics systems can process samples at ultra-high throughputs, there are hardly a very few systems that can handle multiple sample processing steps in a single device. There is a huge demand for integrated droplet-based microfluidic systems that can process sequential, multiple and/or repetitive sample preparation steps at ultra-high throughput. Here, we propose to develop a novel integrated droplet-based microfluidic system capable of handling hundreds of thousands of samples (droplets) that can process multiple sample preparation steps in a single chip. Droplet production, and sample preparation in droplets will be integrated into a single chip capable of handling tens of thousands of droplets simultaneously. To validate the integrated system, two proof of concept studies with biochemical applications will be carried out. The proposed system will have numerous applications in the broad areas of biochemistry as it would mimic the standard sample preparation procedures followed currently. Particularly, the system can be extended and used as, a diagnostic system, high throughput screening system, and droplet-based enzyme evolution system. The proposed design of the system is such that it can be further automated and extended as a platform by integration of a pumping and flow control module, and detection modules. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Nilanjan Dey, Birla Institute Of Technology & Science Pilani (BITS), Hyderabad Campus, Telangana-500078, Dr. Sanket Goel, Birla Institute Of Technology & Science Pilani (BITS), Hyderabad Campus, Telangana-500078 |
Total Budget (INR): | 18,44,540 |
Organizations involved