DropBot automated microfluidics platform for parallel protein variant expression
An automated digital microfluidic platform that parallelizes DNA assembly, transformation, microbial expression, and downstream screening of protein variants in low-volume droplets, reducing hands-on time and enabling rapid evaluation across constructs and conditions.
Overview
Blue Ocean Technologies offers DropBot, an automated digital microfluidic (DMF) platform for parallel protein variant expression. The system is designed to automate the transition from designed protein variants to recombinant proteins and downstream condition testing, including herbicide tolerance assessment. Using software-controlled electrodes, the platform dispenses, moves, merges, splits, mixes, and incubates low-volume droplets on low-cost cartridges, enabling DNA assembly, transformation, and microbial expression workflows to run in parallel with minimal manual intervention.
The platform is particularly suited for expressing soluble proteins in bacterial or yeast systems. Workflows can be programmed across different constructs, expression conditions, and downstream screening requirements, making it a flexible tool for protein engineering, directed evolution, and bioprocess development. Applications may extend to plant-relevant cell systems when prioritized.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Oil-free digital microfluidics: droplets are manipulated without oil, simplifying reagent handling and sample recovery
- Software-controlled electrodes provide precise, repeatable liquid handling at low volumes
- Integrated heating and cooling for incubation and thermal control
- Magnetic-bead processing enables purification and separation steps within the workflow
- Automated liquid input and output supports multi-step protocols
- Optical and fluorescence imaging allows real-time monitoring of cultures and assays
- Low-cost, disposable cartridges reduce consumable cost and cross-contamination risk
The platform builds on more than a decade of digital microfluidics expertise. Prior validated workflows include automated culture of bacteria, algae, yeast, and antibody-producing mammalian cells, as well as DNA assembly, transformation, and recombinant protein expression. This foundation supports the parallel generation, expression, and evaluation of protein variants.
Technology readiness level
The core DropBot platform is an established, commercially used instrument in academic and industrial research. The specific application for parallel protein variant expression is in active development. The proposed 12-month validation plan includes platform configuration, workflow automation, and benchmarking against conventional methods for throughput, cycle time, hands-on time, reproducibility, and biological performance. A GO/NO-GO assessment is used to determine whether to proceed to final system delivery, protocols, and training.
About Blue Ocean Technologies
Blue Ocean Technologies is a Toronto-based biotech startup specializing in digital microfluidics (DMF) for rapid, point-of-care diagnostics. Founded in 2022 as a spinout from the University of Toronto, the company develops automated testing systems designed for high-stakes environments, such as emergency medicine and trauma care. By utilizing AI-driven detection algorithms and compact hardware, their platform aims to deliver lab-quality results in minutes using low-cost, disposable cartridges. The company’s capabilities were further strengthened by the acquisition of Sci-Bots, an expert in microfluidic hardware and the developer of the DropBot, an open-source digital microfluidic controller used globally by academic and industrial researchers.
The company addresses the critical need for fast, bedside diagnostics to reduce the burden on centralized healthcare infrastructure. Beyond their core diagnostic development, they provide R&D consulting and custom microfluidic system design for sectors including life sciences, agriculture, and industrial applications. By offering end-to-end support—from system design and prototyping to software integration—Blue Ocean Technologies helps partners overcome R&D limitations and transition complex microfluidic concepts into market-ready products. Their approach streamlines workflows, improves experimental reproducibility, and enables real-time decision-making in clinical and remote settings.
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