Cutting-Edge Technology

Miniaturization of microplate assays beyond the 384-well format is a major technical challenge due to surface tension and capillary effects.


However, some applications, such as synthetic biology, combinatorial chemistry, process analytics, and personalized medicine require further miniaturization for reasons of applicability, availability of reagents and materials, and cost.


A new approach is needed to advance the development of assay miniaturization. Aquarray's technology offers such a solution: the Droplet Microarray (DMA).

An Innovative Approach

AQUARRAY's innovative DMA-technology is based on a patterning process that uses high-performance nanomaterials to create planar arrays of wettable (hydrophilic or omniphilic) spots separated by a non-wettable (superhydrophobic or omniphobic) grid on transparent glass.


Aqueous solutions are trapped in the hydrophilic spots due to the extremely high surface tension. The droplets formed remain stably suspended even when the DMA is shaken or turned upside down. The technology allows the production of a wide range of patterns resulting in a range of 80 to 6048 spots per DMA and working volumes from 5000 nl down to 20 nl.


The patterning process can also be performed on alternative materials such as steel or ITO coated substrates, and can be adapted for use with low surface tension fluids such as mild organic solvents. This further extends the range of applications.

384 well Microplate

384

Datapoints

  • 30 µl
    Reagent Volume / well 
  • 5.000 - 20.000
    Cell Number / well
  • 10.000 pMole
    Compound / well
  • 127 mm x 85 mm
    Dimensions

 

DMA-Slide

80 - 6048

Datapoints
(adaptable on demand)
  • 10 nl -5 µL
    Reagent Volume / spot
  • 1 - 1000
    Cell Number / spot
  • 30 pMole
    Compound / spot
  • 75,6 mm x 25 mm
    Dimensions

 

DMA-Plate One

80 - 2688

Datapoints
(adaptable on demand)
  • 100 nl -5 µL
    Reagent Volume / spot
  • 1 - 1000
    Cell Number / spot
  • 30 pMole
    Compound / spot
  • 127 mm x 85 mm
    Dimensions

 

Compatibility

■ Adherent and suspension cell lines of any tissue and species
■ Primary cells, iPSCs and stem cells
■ 3D cell culture models, arrays of spheroids and scaffolds (hydrogels)

■ Compound screenings
■ Transfection-based assays
■ Microscopy & High Content Screening
■ Fluorescent- and colorimetric-based assays
■ Biochemical assays

■ Cell incubators
■ Light, fluorescence and confocal microscopes
■ Standard protocols for staining, fixation and immunofluorescence
■ Non-contact dispensers for cells, compounds and reagents: Scienion, LabCyte, CELLINK, Dispendix, Gyger, Biofluidix, Formulatrix, BioDot, Cytena
■ Fluorescence scanners
■ SBS (SLAS/ANSI) foot print