MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING THE EXCHANGE OF MOLECULES BETWEEN DROPLETS
First Claim
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing within a carrier fluid a plurality of microdroplets comprising a first microdroplet comprising a first biological or chemical material and a second microdroplet comprising a second biological or chemical material, wherein the carrier fluid is immiscible with the first microdroplet and second microdroplet and comprises a first oil and a first surfactant at a first concentration within the first oil;
(b) changing the carrier fluid, in the presence of the plurality of microdroplets, by changing (i) some or all of the first oil for a second oil, (ii) some or all of the first surfactant for a second surfactant, (iii) the first concentration to a second concentration, or any combination of (i), (ii) and/or (iii).
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods to create stable emulsions with low rates of exchange of molecules between microdroplets.
236 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing within a carrier fluid a plurality of microdroplets comprising a first microdroplet comprising a first biological or chemical material and a second microdroplet comprising a second biological or chemical material, wherein the carrier fluid is immiscible with the first microdroplet and second microdroplet and comprises a first oil and a first surfactant at a first concentration within the first oil; (b) changing the carrier fluid, in the presence of the plurality of microdroplets, by changing (i) some or all of the first oil for a second oil, (ii) some or all of the first surfactant for a second surfactant, (iii) the first concentration to a second concentration, or any combination of (i), (ii) and/or (iii). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating a plurality of aqueous microdroplets in a continuous phase in a microfluidic device, wherein the first continuous phase comprises a high concentration of a surfactant; and (b) exchanging the first continuous phase containing the high concentration of surfactant for a second continuous phase containing no surfactant or a reduced concentration of surfactant. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification