Watching microdroplets – image-based analysis and control for microfluidics

Microdroplets within microfluidics can provide picolitre sized drops of water which flow in a carrier oil ideally suited to studying individual cells which can be isolated within a drop in a time and space efficient way. However because the drops flow within a closed microfluidic channel, manipulating the droplets and cells requires a new suite of tools. In this presentation I will discuss some of the recent advances in using microscopy imaging and analysis to provide precise measurements of microdroplets and how we can use these measurements to do real-time control to provide unparalleled performance.