Lossless Altered Histone Modification Analysis System (LAHMAS)

Abstract

Miniaturized biological assays using microfluidics have the potential to enhance assay sensitivity, reduce reagent consumption, and increase throughput. However, challenges to miniaturization include increased platform complexity and increased surface to volume ratio leading to risk of evaporation and analyte loss through surface binding. Exclusive Liquid Repellency (ELR) enables open microfluidic systems that minimize these challenges through an oil phase that protects small aqueous volumes from temperature fluctuation and evaporation while eliminating surface fouling that lead to sample loss. Here we report a novel microfluidic platform leveraging ELR and Exclusion-based Sample Preparation (ESP) for the miniaturization of CUT&Tag a complex multistep biological assay. The resultant Lossless Altered Histone Modification Analysis System (LAHMAS) employs a PDMS-silane treated glass surface immersed in silicone oil to facilitate lossless liquid handling and prevent sample evaporation. The device design, compatible with standard laboratory equipment, allows for effective processing of cell inputs as low as 100 cells with higher fidelity than macroscale CUT&Tag facilitating accurate chromatin profiling of low input and rare cell samples.

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 Jan 2025
Accepted
18 Jun 2025
First published
03 Jul 2025

Lab Chip, 2025, Accepted Manuscript

Lossless Altered Histone Modification Analysis System (LAHMAS)

Z. J. Kauffman, K. Koesser, K. T. Helzer, M. N. Sharifi, E. Heninger, C. Li, D. Juang, D. Jarrard, S. G. Zhao, M. C. Haffner, D. Beebe, J. M. Lang and J. M. Sperger, Lab Chip, 2025, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D5LC00060B

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