Novel surfactant to generate robust micro-droplets. product datasheet. Description 3 Main benefits 4 Using Pico-Surf 1 4 Sphere Fluidics Ltd.

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1 Unit 1, Anglian Business Park, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5TW, UK T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) E: W: Pico-Surf 1 Dolomite Microfluidics North America Office Blacktrace Inc, 29 Albion Place Charlestown, MA 02129, USA C: T: F: E: salesus@dolomite-microfluidics.com Novel surfactant to generate robust micro-droplets product datasheet Description 3 Main benefits 4 Using Pico-Surf 1 4 Sphere Fluidics Ltd. 5 page The Dolomite Centre Limited Page 1 of 6

2 Part name Part No. Pico-Surf 1, 10ml, 2% in FC Pico-Surf 1, 50ml, 2% in FC Pico-Surf 1, 100ml, 2% in FC Pico-Surf 1, 10ml, 5% in FC Pico-Surf 1, 50ml, 5% in FC Pico-Surf 1, 100ml, 5% in FC Pico-Surf 1, 10ml, 2% in Novec Pico-Surf 1, 50ml, 2% in Novec Pico-Surf 1, 100ml, 2% in Novec Pico-Surf 1, 10ml, 5% in Novec Pico-Surf 1, 50ml, 5% in Novec Pico-Surf 1, 100ml, 5% in Novec Pico-Surf 1_product datasheet Page 2 of 6

3 Description Micro-droplets are a fascinating area of research. They are especially important where tests need to be conducted on only a few nanolitres of sample containing, for example, cells or DNA. Micro-droplet technology enables scientists and researchers to perform thousands of simultaneous reactions on single cells and small populations of molecules contained within aqueous droplets. Pico-Surf 1 is a specialised chemical solution containing a proprietary surfactant in fluorocarbon carrier oil. The surfactant acts as an interface stabilization agent that facilitates stability of micro-droplets under a wide range of temperature and biological conditions. The Pico-Surf 1 surfactant was developed by Sphere Fluidics and is sold exclusively by Dolomite, as part of a technical and commercial collaboration between the two leading companies. Pico-Surf 1 is specially designed for generating aqueous solution-in-oil droplets for molecular biology assays, for instance, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other isothermal DNA amplification reactions. Pico-Surf 1 is available pre-dissolved in two fluorocarbon oils from 3M Company which are those most commonly used in microfluidic droplet generation: FC-40 Fluorinert (available at 2% and 5% concentration); Novec 7500 (available at 2% concentration); The 2% concentration is recommended for most users and applications. Available in 10ml, 50ml and 100ml, the surfactant can be used together with Dolomite s Droplet Junction Chips as well as Dolomite s novel Picodroplet Formation Chip and Picodroplet Reservoir Chip. For best results we recommend use with the Pico-Glide surface coating. Pico-Surf 1_product datasheet Page 3 of 6

4 Main benefits Allows reliable formation and stabilization of droplets from Ø 25µm to Ø 100µm Appearance: clear liquid Long shelf life High purity Can be used directly, no further formulation required Using Pico-Surf 1 Droplet Storage and Incubation Users are recommended to store droplets generated with Pico-Surf 1, in sterile, plastic (micro) centrifuge tubes. However, they can also be stored in any device or container having hydrophobic surface properties. Once generated, Pico-Surf 1 emulsions are stable for up to one week when stored between 4 C to 65 C. For long-term storage, especia lly at elevated temperatures, topping the emulsion with mineral oil is recommended to reduce or eliminate evaporation and contamination. Droplet size and coalescence The performance of the surfactant depends, amongst other things, on the size of the droplet. As droplet size increases, coalescence becomes more likely. As a guide, 100µm (700pl) is an absolute maximum and 40µm (100pl) is recommended for PCR. Guidance for PCR Pico-Surf 1 emulsion is stable under most PCR thermal cycling conditions. The following tips should be considered when optimising your specific PCR reaction. Generate micro-droplets smaller than 15pL in volume (30µm in diameter). Top the emulsion with mineral oil. Mainly to prevent protein aggregation, detergent addition is sometimes included in commercially-available PCR reagent mixtures or recommended in published papers or laboratory protocols. Depending on their composition and concentration, these detergents can substantially deteriorate droplet stability under the conditions used in thermal cycling. Users should titrate the detergent in their PCR solution and also optimise this with reference to the Pico-Surf 1 concentration and other assay parameters. Pico-Surf 1_product datasheet Page 4 of 6

5 Sphere Fluidics Ltd Sphere Fluidics Ltd is a leading company specialised in picodroplet technology that performs thousands of simultaneous analyses on single cells and small populations of molecules. Sphere Fluidics Ltd is commercialising new lab-on-a-chip and picodroplet technology developed at Cambridge University by company founder Professor Chris Abell and Professor Wilhelm Huck. Focussing on storing and retrieving individual picodroplets containing a unique sample, their technology benefits a wide range of applications, including rapid antibody discovery, identification of novel algal strains and the generation of new biocatalysts. For more information please visit Pico-Surf 1 is a trademark of Sphere Fluidics FC-40 and Novec are trademarks of 3M Company Pico-Surf 1_product datasheet Page 5 of 6

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