Emerging platforms for high-throughput enzymatic bioassays

Enzymes have essential roles in catalyzing biological reactions and maintaining metabolic systems. Many in vitro enzymatic bioassays have been developed for use in industrial and research fields, such as cell biology, enzyme engineering, drug screening, and biofuel production. Of note, many of these require the use of high-throughput platforms. Although the microtiter plate remains the standard for high-throughput enzymatic bioassays, microfluidic arrays and droplet microfluidics represent emerging methods. Each has seen significant advances and offers distinct advantages; however, drawbacks in key performance metrics, including re-agent consumption, reaction manipulation, reaction recovery, real-time measure-ment, concentration gradient range, and multiplexity, remain. Herein, we compare recent high-throughput platforms using the aforementioned metrics as criteria and provide insights into remaining challenges and future research trends.

Automated summary

Enzymes play essential roles in biological reactions and maintaining metabolic systems. Various in vitro enzymatic bioassays have been developed for industrial and research purposes. Microtiter plates, microfluidic arrays, and droplet microfluidics are commonly used high-throughput platforms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. This article compares these platforms based on key performance metrics and discusses the remaining challenges and future research trends.