Droplet-Based Microfluidics – AutoScreen

Multi-parametric data collection and analysis platform of droplet-based microfluidics for the development of ultrahigh-throughput screening applications for the biotech industry

The scientific and technical goal of the project is to develop and establish an integrated data acquisition and analysis platform to significantly increase the efficacy of droplet-based microfluidic experimentation.

In order to perform high quality screening, we are developing rapid, real-time extraction and analysis of optical information from each individual droplet. We aim to combine the multiple fluorescent and absorption signals with image-based analysis from the very same droplet. This opens up the possibility of data mining for the determination of optimal conditions for multi-parametric ultrahigh-throughput screening. Currently, there is no platform that can handle this combination of tasks.

For this purpose, the Dept. Bio Pilot Plant and the Research Group Applied Systems Biology at the HKI will work together with the companies Invigon GmbH, LaCoSys GmbH and BioControl Jena GmbH on the design and experimental validation of the developed hardware and software solutions. Through careful experimental design we will be able to collect and analyse multiparametric data from millions of microfluidic drops to screen for relevant molecules or microbial activity.

Funding

The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF OP 2014-2020) and the State of Thuringia (joint project no. 2017 VF 0026; project no. 2017 FE 9071).

Funding Program: Directive of the Free State of Thuringia for the Promotion of Research, Technology and Innovation (FTl-Richtlinie), ThürStAnz. No. 36/2015 of 07.09.2015, p. 215, came into force on 19.08.2015.