Dolomite develops novel droplet system for encapsulation of single cells or beads

Royston, UK (18th May 2012) – Dolomite, a world leader in the design and manufacture of microfluidic devices, has successfully developed an innovative Droplet System for the encapsulation of single cells or beads into droplets which benefits a wide range of applications including single cell analysis, high throughput screening and droplet PCR.

The system represents a major breakthrough in microfluidics by providing users with the tools required to perform assays on individual cells in picolitre volume environments.

2.8m diameter beads inside monodisperse droplets (100m in diameter)

This novel technology was demonstrated by feeding 2.8$m diameter magnetic beads into monodisperse 100$m diameter droplets at a ratio of 1 bead per droplet with minimal bead losses.

Featuring Dolomite’s standard microfluidic components, the new system allows users to load single cells or beads into droplets. The Mitos P-Pump allows stirring of the input fluid reservoir, to provide an even distribution of beads and delivers a pulseless and stable flow for excellent control of droplet volumes. Reliable and leak-free connections are made from pump to tube to chip using Dolomite’s Multiflux® Linear Connectors.

Droplets are isolated in an inert fluorocarbon carrier stream to prevent crosscontamination and are stabilized with Pico-Surf™, a biocompatible surfactant designed specifically for generating and stabilizing pico-droplets. For further information on Dolomite’s Micro Droplet Systems as well as the complete portfolio of microfluidic products including chips, connectors/ interconnects, valves, pumps and custom devices please visit www.dolomite-microfluidics.com.

The Dolomite Centre Limited
Established in 2005 as the world’s first Microfluidic Application Centre, Dolomite focused on working with customers to turn their concepts for microfluidic applications into reality. Today, Dolomite is the world leader in solving microfluidic problems. With offices in the UK and US and distributors throughout the rest of the world, its clients range from universities developing leading-edge analytical equipment, to manufacturers of chemical, life science and clinical diagnostics systems.

Dolomite is pioneering the use of microfluidic devices for small-scale fluid control and analysis, enabling manufacturers to develop more compact, cost-effective and powerful instruments. By combining specialist glass, quartz and ceramic technologies with knowledge of high performance microfluidics, Dolomite is able to provide solutions for a broad range of application areas including environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, food and beverage, nuclear, agriculture, petrochemical, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Furthermore Dolomite’s in-house micro-fabrication facilities that include clean rooms and precision glass processing facilities allow to prototype and test all solutions rapidly which ensures a faster development cycle and reduces the time to market.

For more information please visit www.dolomite-microfluidics.com.