Strategic design of flow structures for single (bio) particle analysis using droplet microfluidic platform

Abstract

This thesis is designed to meet the need for knowledge of droplet-based encapsulation strategies by carrying out systematic fundamental studies based on a double-cross configuration. This configuration has been commonly used for co-encapsulation of particles or cells with multiple reagents. Particular attention is also paid to the simplicity and robustness of the channel network for real-world applications. Proposed methods of single-particle encapsulation and integration of multiple functional components are validated by the first two projects. The goal of the first project is to co-encapsulate a 1micrometer magnetic bead (MB) with multiple Quantum Dots (QDs) for further bio-decorating the QD surfaces with different molecules (i.e. single-strand DNA). The goal of the second project is to integrate into a single device a two-step reaction assay for functionalizing the surface of QDs with oligonucleotide strands while QDs are immobilized on MBs. The QD-Oligonucleotide conjugate serves as bio-sensing probes for nucleic acid detection. Additionally, to provide the fundamental knowledge for non-microfluidic-researchers to apply this approach in their single-encapsulation applications, a comprehensive experimental study is designed to span a wide range of operating parameters.