Oil microsealing: A robust micro-compartmentalization method for on-chip chemical and biological assays

摘要

Oil microsealing is a new way to distribute a sample solution into an array of independent sub-nanoliter micro-compartments that can be addressed using an external stimulus (e.g., light). This simple, robust, and cost-effective method does not involve any active elements such as pumps and valves nor the use of surfactant molecules. The method was applied for the generation of regular gene expression arrays, selective photobleaching, photopatterning of calcium concentration (see image), and cell cultures in independent microchambers.