Manipulation of Microparticles In Microfluidic Systems

Abstract

Arrays of flowable or fixed particle sets are used in microfluidic systems for performing assays and modifying hydrodynamic flow. Also provided are assays utilizing flowable or fixed particle sets within a microfluidic system, as well as kits, apparatus and integrated systems comprising arrays and array members.

1 . A method of carrying out a chemical reaction in a microfluidic device, the method comprising:
 providing a microfluidic device comprising a body structure with a microscale cavity disposed therein, wherein the microscale cavity comprises a first microchannel comprising at least one reagent flow region and at least one particle capture region, and wherein the at least one particle capture region has an increased depth relative to the at least one reagent flow region;   flowing a set of particles through the microscale cavity to the particle capture region where the set of particles is retained in a fixed position; and   flowing one or more liquid reagents over the retained set of particles so that a chemical reaction occurs within the particle retention region.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical reaction comprises a reaction between at least one of the one or more liquid reagents and the particles. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical reaction comprises a reaction between at least one of the one or more liquid reagents and reagents coupled to the particles in the set of particles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the chemical reaction comprises nucleic acid hybridization. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the chemical reaction comprises DNA amplification.