Digital Microfluidic Platform for Radiochemistry

UCLA researchers have created a novel, integrated microfluidic approach to radiochemical synthesis. Radiochemicals have been successfully synthesized on droplet-based microfluidic chips operated by electro-wetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) actuation.

Radiochemicals have important uses in medicine, preclinical research, biology, biochemistry, and environmental science. Radiochemical synthesis requires rapid reactions and purification steps, protective radiation shielding, and specialized equipment. Currently, the usual synthesis approach is to use macroscopic batch systems. However, such systems are expensive, large (requiring bulky, expensive radiation shielding), and use volumes that are larger than necessary. Microfluidic devices possess properties that can reduce these disadvantages. Continuous flow microfluidic devices can perform reactions at high speeds but require several external pieces of equipment, such as pumping systems, which increase size and expense. Fully-integrated microfluidic devices do exist, but typically are not compatible with all liquids, such as organic solvents. Further, such integrated approaches are not yet able to reliably synthesize many radiochemicals. Thus, there is a need for an integrated, cost-effective, highly reliable microfluidic device that allows for precise control of radiochemical reactions.

UCLA researchers have created a novel, integrated microfluidic approach to radiochemical synthesis. The device uses electro-wetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) microfluidic technology to control the flow of reagent droplets. The droplets movements are precisely controlled by electric fields, using voltages typically below 100 volts. Since the device uses an array of electrodes to control droplet movements, a variety of pathways (and reaction processes) can be created simply by altering the software. The device and array of pathways are made of inert substances that are highly compatibility with a broad range of temperatures and chemicals. Included on the device itself is a heating element able to induce the chemical reactions required for radiochemical synthesis.

UCLA researchers have developed the EWOD chip and successfully controlled droplet movement of a variety of liquids typically used in radiochemical synthesis. Further, researchers have used the device to successfully carry out a full synthesis of radioactive 1-[¹⁸F]fluoro-4-nitrobenzene, and 2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose, commonly used by the medical and preclinical research fields in positron emission tomography applications.