EWOD-driven droplet microfluidic device integrated with optoelectronic tweezers as an automated platform for cellular isolation and analysis

We report the integration of two technologies: droplet microfluidics using electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) and individual particle manipulation using optoelectronic tweezers (OET)—in one microfluidic device. The integrated device successfully demonstrates a sequence involving both EWOD and OET operations. We encountered various challenges during integration of the two different technologies and present how they are addressed. To show the applicability of the device in cellular biology, live HeLa cells are used in the experiments. The unique advantages of EWOD and OET make their integration a significant step towards a powerful tool for many applications, such as single cell studies involving multiplexed environmental stimuli.