Objective

Droplet-Microarray (DMA) platform is a novel miniaturized platform for HTS of live cells. It consists of an array of superhydrophilic spots on superhydrophobic background. Due to extreme difference in wettability between superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic areas cell suspension applied on such surface spontaneously splits in array of homogeneous separated droplets of nL volumes, enabling pipetting-free seeding of cells. We have developed protocols for parallel addition of compounds and reagents simultaneously to the whole array without a need for pipetting of each individual compartment. The DMA platform is transparent and compatible with all kinds of microscopy. In addition, the DMA has dimensions of microscope glass slide or microtiter plate and, therefore, is compatible with all existing microscopes. All the standard protocols including staining, fixation and immunofluorescence can be performed on DMA platform, making it easy to incorporate it into existing screening workflows. We have tested and evaluated DMA platform for compound screenings on different types of cells including commonly used adherent and suspension cell lines, stem and primary cells, as well as zebrafish embryos. In addition, DMA is compatible with screening of cell in 3D environment by means of tumor spheroids, embryonic bodies and hydrogels. Droplet-Microarray is universal platform that is compatible with various biological assays.