Drop-based microfluidics: Biology a picoliter at a time

This talk will describe the use of microfluidic technology to control and manipulate drops whose volume is about one picoliter. These can serve as reaction vessels for biological assays. These drops can be manipulated with very high precision using an inert carrier oil to control the fluidics, ensuring the samples never contact the walls of the fluidic channels. Small quantities of other reagents can be injected with a high degree of control. The drops can also encapsulate cells, enabling cell-based assays to be carried out. Examples of the application of these devices to the study of fundamental biology and to biotechnology will be described. (Technical Lecture)

Speaker: David A. Weitz