Microfluidic particle clustering device for cross-contamination-free multiplex analysis

This paper describes a dynamic microarray device that facilitates a particle-based multiplex analysis by co-locating multiple, hetero particles at a designated reaction chamber array. The device allows parallel monitoring of multiple reactions among clustered particles. A high-density particle cluster array was formed by utilizing flow-induced deformability of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane that is caused by applied hydrodynamic pressure. By incorporating immiscible oil isolation, particles clusters were isolated from the outer environment, which enabled a cross-contamination-free analysis. We monitored the interactions among clustered hetero particles, without any cross-contamination, by co-locating polystyrene beads and chemical-laden hydrogels within arrayed reaction chambers and isolating them using immiscible oil.