Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for assaying molecules in aqueous droplets are provided. The methods include the steps of loading an aqueous sample onto a microfluidic device, dispensing one or more sample droplets into an oil filled droplet operations gap of the microfluidic device and optionally diluting the sample droplet, and transporting a sample droplet to a sensor zone and initiating the assay.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The invention includes assay methods of conducting an assay comprising combining a sample with an umbelliferyl derivative, wherein the sample potentially comprises an enzyme capable of cleaving the umbelliferyl derivative and where the umbelliferyl derivative comprises an umbelliferyl core modified with one or more modifying moieties.

Abstract: The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The invention includes assay methods of conducting an assay comprising combining a sample with an umbelliferyl derivative, wherein the sample potentially comprises an enzyme capable of cleaving the umbelliferyl derivative and where the umbelliferyl derivative comprises an umbelliferyl core modified with one or more modifying moieties.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: Droplet actuators and techniques for droplet-based assays are provided. A method of conducting an assay comprises: incubating a droplet in oil, the droplet comprising an umbelliferone substrate, a sample potentially comprising an enzyme which cleaves the umbelliferone substrate, and a zwitterionic surfactant; and detecting a signal emitted from the droplet.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: Droplet actuators that include molecular barrier coatings are provided. The molecular barrier coating may be provided atop the conductive layer of the top substrate, atop the droplet operations electrodes of the bottom substrate, or both. Where the conductive layer of the top substrate and/or the droplet operations electrodes of the bottom substrate are formed of an electrically conductive organic polymer, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), the molecular barrier coating helps to immobilize the contents of the PEDOT:PSS layer. Further, the molecular barrier coating reduces, preferably entirely eliminates, moisture from seeping into the electrically conducting organic polymer. Methods of conducting droplet operations using the disclosed droplet actuators are also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: Droplet actuators that include molecular barrier coatings are provided. The molecular barrier coating may be provided atop the conductive layer of the top substrate, atop the droplet operations electrodes of the bottom substrate, or both. Where the conductive layer of the top substrate and/or the droplet operations electrodes of the bottom substrate are formed of an electrically conductive organic polymer, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), the molecular barrier coating helps to immobilize the contents of the PEDOT:PSS layer. Further, the molecular barrier coating reduces, preferably entirely eliminates, moisture from seeping into the electrically conducting organic polymer. Methods of conducting droplet operations using the disclosed droplet actuators are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The invention includes assay methods of conducting an assay comprising combining a sample with an umbelliferyl derivative, wherein the sample potentially comprises an enzyme capable of cleaving the umbelliferyl derivative and where the umbelliferyl derivative comprises an umbelliferyl core modified with one or more modifying moieties.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: Droplet actuators and techniques for droplet-based assays are provided. A method of conducting an assay comprises: incubating a droplet in oil, the droplet comprising an umbelliferone substrate, a sample potentially comprising an enzyme which cleaves the umbelliferone substrate, and a zwitterionic surfactant; and detecting a signal emitted from the droplet.

Abstract: Droplet actuators that include molecular barrier coatings are provided. The molecular barrier coating may be provided atop the conductive layer of the top substrate, atop the droplet operations electrodes of the bottom substrate, or both. Where the conductive layer of the top substrate and/or the droplet operations electrodes of the bottom substrate are formed of an electrically conductive organic polymer, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), the molecular barrier coating helps to immobilize the contents of the PEDOT:PSS layer. Further, the molecular barrier coating reduces, preferably entirely eliminates, moisture from seeping into the electrically conducting organic polymer. Methods of conducting droplet operations using the disclosed droplet actuators are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to certain droplet actuated molecular techniques. In one embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator methods for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a DNA sequence using digital microfluidics, including droplet actuator-based sample preparation and SNP analysis. In another embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and methods for providing integrated sample preparation and multiplexed detection of an infectious agent, such as HIV. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and techniques for PCR amplification and detection of specific nucleic acid sequences using digital microfluidics, including droplet actuator-based sample preparation and target nucleic acid analysis. In yet another embodiment the invention provides methods for performing hot-start PCR on a droplet actuator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The method may include immobilization of the enzymatic substrate including forming an inclusion complex with the substrate within an aqueous environment in contact with an oil.

Abstract: The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The method may include immobilization of the enzymatic substrate including forming an inclusion complex with the substrate within an aqueous environment in contact with an oil.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.