Wall-free droplet microfluidics for probing biological processes by high-brilliance X-ray scattering techniques

G Marinaro; R Graceffa; C Riekel

doi:10.3389/fmolb.2022.1049327

Wall-free droplet microfluidics for probing biological processes by high-brilliance X-ray scattering techniques

Front Mol Biosci. 2022 Nov 16:9:1049327. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1049327. eCollection 2022.

Authors

G Marinaro^{1

2}, R Graceffa³, C Riekel⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Japan.
³ European XFEL, Schenefeld, Germany.
⁴ ESRF, The European Synchrotron, Grenoble, France.

Abstract

Here we review probing biological processes initiated by the deposition of droplets on surfaces by micro- and nanobeam X-ray scattering techniques using synchrotron radiation and X-ray free-electron laser sources. We review probing droplet evaporation on superhydrophobic surfaces and reactions with substrates, basics of droplets deposition and flow simulations, droplet deposition techniques and practical experience at a synchrotron beamline. Selected applications with biological relevance will be reviewed and perspectives for the latest generation of high-brilliance X-ray sources discussed.

Keywords: X-ray scattering; biological processes; droplet microfluidics; free electron laser; microbeam; nanobeam; synchrotron radiation.

Publication types

Review