Simple, low-cost fabrication of acrylic based droplet microfluidics and its use to generate DNA-coated particles.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogel microparticles were copolymerized with surface-immobilized DNA. Particles derived from a microfluidic device and particles derived from mechanical homogenization were compared. The hypothesis was tested that a controlled droplet generation mechanism would produce more homogeneous particles. Surprisingly, the DNA content of both particle types was similarly inhomogeneous. To make this test possible, a simple, low cost, and rapid method was developed to fabricate a microfluidic chip for droplet generation and in-line polymerization. This method used a low-cost laser cutter ($400) and direct heat bonding (no adhesives or intermediate layers). The flow focusing droplet generator produced droplets and hydrogel particles 10-200 μm in diameter.

SUBMITTER: Islam MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5993776 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature