Device and method for pressure-driven plug transport and reaction

A fluidic system comprising:

• a microfluidic device comprising substrate having a plurality of traps in fluidic communication with an inlet and arranged along one side of the substrate, wherein each trap comprises an opening along the side of the substrate and is separated from another trap by a region along the side of the substrate, each trap is configured to accommodate a partition of aqueous fluid comprising a bead particle within;
• and
• a detector configured to detect, monitor, or analyze each partition of aqueous fluid and associated bead particle retained within a corresponding trap of the substrate, the detector configured to detect emissions from one or more detectable markers associated with one or more bead particles for quantitative analysis.

A method comprising:

• providing a microfluidic device comprising substrate having a plurality of traps in fluidic communication with an inlet and arranged along one side of the substrate, wherein each trap comprises an opening along the side of the substrate and is separated from another trap by a region along the side of the substrate;
• introducing an aqueous fluid into the device via the inlet, the aqueous fluid comprising a plurality of bead particles, wherein each trap of the substrate accommodates a partition of the aqueous fluid comprising a bead particle within;
• monitoring each partition of aqueous fluid and associated bead particle retained within a corresponding trap of the substrate, wherein the monitoring comprises detecting emissions from one or more detectable markers associated with one or more bead particles for quantitative analysis.