All-in-one multiple extracellular vesicle miRNA detection on a miniaturized digital microfluidic workstation.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and EV-derived microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) are emerging as promising circulating biomarkers for early detection of malignant tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, utilization of the gold standard method of RNA detection, the reverse transcription - quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), on EV-miRNAs is hindered by laborious sample purification requirements and time-consuming multi-step procedures. Herein, we propose and demonstrate a miniaturized digital microfluidic (DMF) workstation for all-in-one EV-miRNA detection based on RT-qPCR.

Improved Teflon lift-off for droplet microarray generation and single-cell separation on digital microfluidic chips.

Droplet microarrays (DMAs) leveraging wettability differences are instrumental in digital immunoassays, single-cell analysis, and high-throughput screening. This study introduces an enhanced Teflon lift-off process to fabricate hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterns on a digital microfluidic (DMF) chip, thereby integrating DMAs with DMF technology. By employing DMF for droplet manipulation and utilizing wettability differences, the automated generation of high-throughput DMAs was achieved.

Rapid automated extracellular vesicle isolation and miRNA preparation on a cost-effective digital microfluidic platform.

As a prerequisite for extracellular vesicle (EV) -based studies and diagnosis, effective isolation, enrichment and retrieval of EV biomarkers are crucial to subsequent analyses, such as miRNA-based liquid biopsy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, most conventional approaches for EV isolation suffer from lengthy procedure, high cost, and intense labor. Herein, we introduce the digital microfluidic (DMF) technology to EV pretreatment protocols and demonstrate a rapid and fully automated sample preparation platform for clinical tumor liquid biopsy.

Detecting EGFR gene amplification using a fluorescence in situ hybridization platform based on digital microfluidics.

Signal transduction mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene affects the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis of tumor cells. In particular, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with increased in copy number of EGFR gene are often sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Despite being the standard for detecting EGFR amplification in the clinic, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) traditionally involves repetitive and complex benchtop procedures that are not only time consuming but also require well-trained personnel.

Combining sensors and actuators with electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD): advanced digital microfluidic systems for biomedical applications.

The concept of digital microfluidics (DMF) enables highly flexible and precise droplet manipulation at a picoliter scale, making DMF a promising approach to realize integrated, miniaturized "lab-on-a-chip" (LOC) systems for research and clinical purposes. Owing to its simplicity and effectiveness, electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) is one of the most commonly studied and applied effects to implement DMF. However, complex biomedical assays usually require more sophisticated sample handling and detection capabilities than basic EWOD manipulation.

Micro-PCR chip-based multifunctional ultrafast SARS-CoV-2 detection platform.

When dealing with infectious pathogens, the point-of-care screening and diagnosis strategy should be low-cost, simple, rapid and accurate. Here, we report a multifunctional rapid PCR platform allowing both simultaneous screening of suspected cases and accurate identification and quantification of the virus. Based on the platform, samples suspected of being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are screened first, after which subsequent precise quantification of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) can be performed if necessary.