Development of droplet-based microfluidics in generation, manipulation and biomedical application

Single-cell analysis is crucial for understanding cellular heterogeneity, identifying the unique biological characteristics of individual cells, and culturing cells in vitro. Droplet-based microfluidics is a promising technology that offers a high-throughput and sensitive approach for the separation and detection of biological particles. In this review, two primary methods of droplet generation in microfluidic platforms are introduced: passive and active method. Particularly in the context of active manipulation using various external field controls (e.g., electric, magnetic, and acoustic fields), is summarized. Furthermore, the latest advancements in droplet-based microfluidics for applications in circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis, bacterial detection, and cell culture are systematically discussed. Finally, this review examines the prospectives and challenges of droplet-based microfluidics in single-cell analysis, with a particular emphasis on its potential applications in multifunctional integration and clinical translation.