Abstract
Digital Microfluidics (DMF) has emerged as a disruptive methodology for the control and manipulation of low volume droplets. In DMF, each droplet acts as a single reactor, which allows for extensive multiparallelization of biological and chemical reactions at a much smaller scale. DMF devices open entirely new and promising pathways for multiplex analysis and reaction occurring in a miniaturized format, thus allowing for healthcare decentralization from major laboratories to point-of-care with accurate, robust and inexpensive molecular diagnostics. Here, we shall focus on DMF platforms specifically designed for nucleic acid amplification, which is key for molecular diagnostics of several diseases and conditions, from pathogen identification to cancer mutations detection. Particular attention will be given to the device architecture, materials and nucleic acid amplification applications in validated settings.
Highlights
Digital Microfluidics (DMF) is a relatively recent technology for liquid manipulation, which allows the control of discrete droplets on a planar surface, through the use of electric, magnetic, optic or acoustic forces [1,2]
Nucleic acid amplification technologies (NAATs) have been developed in a multitude of strategies focusing on low sample volume, high specificity and selectivity, and preferably in a portable format
Being the first nucleic acid amplification technique to be developed [20], polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is today the standard technique for nucleic acid amplification, and its working principles have been widespread across all major molecular biology laboratories
Summary
Digital Microfluidics (DMF) is a relatively recent technology for liquid manipulation, which allows the control of discrete droplets on a planar surface, through the use of electric, magnetic, optic or acoustic forces [1,2]. DMF offers additional advantages, such as: (1) precise control over unit droplets, (2) easy integration with measurement techniques, (3) multiplex assay capability and (4) there is no need for propulsion devices. The development of DMF devices where droplets are transported on electrode arrays via electric forces, namely electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) at relatively low frequencies (non-dielectrophoretic). The bottom plate includes a substrate (usually glass) where paths of actuation electrodes are deposited, which in turn are covered by a dielectric layer and a hydrophobic layer, preventing sample adhesion to the electrodes. The top plate is generally a single ground electrode, made of transparent, conductive material, allowing for process monitorization (e.g., droplet transportation and reaction visualization by colour change). Teflon® (Chemours, Wilmington, DE, USA) and Cytop® (AGCChem, Exton, PA, USA) are standard choices for the hydrophobic layer [2,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
