Droplet Microfluidics in PCR: Technology and Applications

Digital Droplet PCR (ddPCR) is a method for performing digital PCR use microfluidic water-oil emulsion technology.  By utilizing microfluidics and fractionating DNA samples into nanoliter droplets , ddPCR enables absolute quantification of DNA.  In comparison to traditional qPCR, ddPCR has demonstrated improved precision and accuracy, better sensitivity, and increased signal-to-noise ratio.  ddPCR also allows for traditional qPCR techniques including different probe chemistries and multiplexing.  ddPCR has enabled and improved many applications including NIPT, pathogen detection, food safety analysis, and liquid biopsy.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the fundamental mechanism of ddPCR and how Poisson correction enables absolute quantification of DNA.

2. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of ddPCR in relation to qPCR.

3. Recognize current applications of ddPCR in many different fields including diagnostics and food safety.