In this review, we highlight the benefits of combining microfluidics with CFE for studying and engineering molecular functions, even from non-living components.
We hope that the text and citations are helpful for anyone interested in these powerful tools.
Happy reading to everyone!

Using CFE in microfluidic setups enables the closer simulation of cell-like environments by providing precise control over reaction settings, spatial organisation and maintenance of non-equilibrium conditions - a feature of life.

Droplet microfluidics allows the production of nanoliter to picoliter microreactors for massively parallel, miniaturised assays. Combined with CFE, such droplets commonly serve as cell-like microcompartments for boundary-enclosed cell-free reactions.

While cell-free transcription–translation systems (CFE) simplify and open up cellular biochemistry for manipulation, microfluidics enables miniaturisation and precise control over geometries and reaction conditions.

Congratulations!! 🎊

They are sooo adorable! 😍

Yes, we have iDOT in our lab, and it works quite well! It doesn't need so much maintainance as Echo needs (only specific vials to handle liquids), and can work in similar ranges like Echo does :)