Microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate using an oil-free immiscible phase driven by manual or electronic pipettors

A microfluidic device, comprising:

• a plurality of fluidic traps connected in parallel;
• a plurality of capillary constriction channels, wherein each of the plurality of capillary constriction channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps;
• a plurality of bypass channels, wherein each of the plurality of bypass channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, and wherein each fluidic trap and the associated bypass channel are connected in parallel and each fluidic trap and the associated capillary constriction channel are connected in series;
• one or more inlets connected to the fluidic traps;
• and
• a plurality of outlets wherein each of the outlets is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps.

A method of operating a microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate, comprising:

• introducing simultaneously a first fluid into a first inlet and a second fluid into a second inlet;
• causing the first and second fluids to enter into a bypass channel associated with a fluidic trap, wherein the bypass channel and the associated fluidic trap are connected in parallel;
• causing the first and second fluids to enter into the fluidic trap until the fluidic trap is filled with the first and second fluids;
• and
• causing the first and second fluids to be mixed in the fluidic trap.

A method of operating a microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate, comprising:

• introducing cells in fluidic traps connected in series;
• loading cells in the fluidic traps while capillary constriction channels associated with the fluid traps are closed;
• performing cell culture for the cells loaded in the fluidic traps;
• introducing dissolved beads containing drugs into the fluidic traps;
• loading the dissolved beads in the fluidic traps;
• and
• isolating the fluidic traps.