Vilnius University

Droplet Genomics, Uab

Eth 7lirich

Droplet Genomics

Eth Zurich

Greta Stonyte

Linas Mazutis

Karolis Leonavicius

Ausra Zelvyte

Arvydas Janulaitis

Vaidotas Kiseliovas

Donald Hilvert

Rapolas Zilionis

Robertas Galinis

Sabine Studer

This invention relates to methods and systems for isolation of species in semi-permeable capsules and processing of encapsulated species through series of steps and/or reactions. To produce capsules, first aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) droplets are generated using microfluidics system. Then the hydrogel shell layer is hardened by inducing polymerization. As exemplified in this invention to achieve concentric ATPS droplet formation density-matched PEGDA and Dextran polymer solutions can be used. Once a capsule is formed, its composition can be changed by adding new reagents or replacing out old ones (e.g. by resuspending capsules in desired aqueous solution). The hydrogel shell of semi-permeable capsules can be dissolved at selected step during multi-step procedures to release the encapsulated species. This invention exemplifies isolation of individual cells within capsules and using the encapsulated cells for genotypic and phenotypic analysis. This invention also exemplifies use of capsules in multi-step procedures to perform complex biological reactions.

Systems and methods for encapsulation and multi-step processing of biological samples

The present invention relates to methods and systems for isolation of species in semi-permeable capsules and processing of encapsulated species through series of steps and/or reactions. To produce capsules, first aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) droplets are generated using microfluidics system and then the hydrogel shell layer is hardened by inducing polymerization. As exemplified in this invention to achieve concentric ATPS droplet formation density-matched PEGDA and Dextran polymer solutions can be used. Once a capsule is formed, its composition can be changed by adding new reagents or replacing out old ones (e.g. by resuspending capsules in desired aqueous solution). The hydrogel shell of semi-permeable capsules can be dissolved at selected step during multi-step procedures in order to release the encapsulated species. The present invention exemplifies the isolation of individual cells within capsules and using the encapsulated cells for genotypic and phenotypic analysis. Finally, the present invention also exemplifies the use of capsules in multi-step procedures to perform complex biological reactions.

Disclosed is a system and method for production of DNA particles and use thereof. The DNA particles can be produced by amplification of nucleic acid molecule(s). Alternatively, DNA particles can be prepared by condensing multiple DNA molecules. The DNA condensation into a particle is mainly triggered by pyrophosphate and positively charged cations (e.g. magnesium). DNA particles can be applied for numerous biological applications but not limited to directed evolution, proteomics, drug delivery and imaging. DNA particles can be used to synthesize proteins using in vitro transcription/translation reaction.

System and method for synthesis of DNA particles and use thereof

Growing community of inventors

Vilnius, Lithuania

Greta Stonyte