Fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) technology has become a powerful ultra-high throughput screening tool over the past decade. It is widely used in the screening of enzymes, metabolites and antibodies.

High-sensitivity fluorescence coupling strategy (FCS) is a key technology for the application and development of FADS. It can couple enzyme activity, metabolite concentration, antibody affinity and other properties with fluorescence signals to achieve quantitative detection of target substances, which is one of the key links for the application and development of FADS.

In a study published in Biotechnology Advances, a team of researchers from the Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering Technology (SIBET) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reviewed the latest research progress of fluorescence coupling droplet microfluidics of various analytical substances (enzymes, metabolites, antibodies) in the past decade.

They classified these strategies into four categories according to the principle of fluorescence coupling strategy: fluorogenic substrate strategy, enzyme coupling strategy, biosensor-based strategy, and antibody affinity-based strategy.

The research team, led by MA Fuqiang of SIBET, provided guidance on selecting the appropriate FCS for different analytes and matching the selected coupling system with a complementary FADS system. This was an important addition to the existing review articles on FADS.

"The review provides an important theoretical basis for the application and expansion of the droplet microfluidic system in enzyme, metabolite and antibody screening," said MA.

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Plan, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS.

The work flow chart of FADS system is shown. (Image by SIBET)