Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Kwong Joo Leck

Yong Yeow Lee

Jackie Yi-Ru Ying

Li Li

Nam Yong Kim

Namyong Kim

Y Jackie Ying

Jinghao Kuang

A device for processing a sample in a liquid droplet containing a hydrophilic liquid is described. The device includes: a circumferential wall and a base including an immobilisation member. The circumferential wall and the base define a reservoir adapted to accommodate a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the liquid droplet. The medium is of a lower surface energy than a liquid of the liquid droplet. The immobilisation member includes a surface with a plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas and a hydrophobic area. The plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas is: (a) of a higher surface energy than the medium, (b) of a higher surface energy than the hydrophobic area, and (c) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width to allow, in the medium, immobilisation of liquid droplets on the hydrophilic immobilisation areas via interfacial interactions. Methods of using and rinsing the device are also described.

Apparatus for processing a sample in a liquid droplet and method of using the same

The invention provides an apparatus and a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet. The apparatus comprises a processing compartment, which is defined by a reservoir and an immobilization member. The processing compartment is further adapted to accommodate a medium, which is immiscible with the liquid droplet, and of a lower surface energy than the liquid of the liquid droplet. The reservoir is defined by a circumferential wall and a base. The immobilization member is arranged within the reservoir and comprises a surface that is patterned in such a way that it comprises at least one predefined immobilization area. The predefined immobilization area within the patterned surface is of a higher surface energy than the medium. The liquid droplet is disposed onto the predefined immobilization area, whereby the liquid droplet is immobilized thereon via hydrophilic-hydrophilic or hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions.

An apparatus for processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet () is provided. The apparatus includes a processing compartment (), a base () and at least one circumferential wall (). The processing compartment () is defined by at least a part of the base (), at least a part of the circumferential wall () and an inlet member (). The inlet member () is located on top of the processing compartment (), and includes at least one droplet inlet channel (), which extends through the inlet member () and includes a contraction () between the inlet opening () of the droplet inlet channel () to the environment and the outlet opening () to the processing compartment (). There is furthermore provided a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (). The method includes disposing a medium into the processing compartment () of the apparatus of the invention that is immiscible with the liquid droplet (), so that the contraction () is immersed in the medium. The droplet () is disposed into the droplet inlet channel () such that it is located below the contraction () of the droplet inlet channel (). A process is performed on the biological and/or chemical sample in the droplet ().

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Singapore, Singapore

Kwong Joo Leck