High-throughput and long-term observation of compartmentalized biochemical oscillators

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the long-term observation of biochemical oscillators within approximately 700 tiny droplets, revealing phenomena like desynchronization and spatial waves, which advances understanding of small-volume biological effects and potential applications.

Contribution

The paper introduces a method for observing sustained biochemical oscillations in a large number of small compartments over extended periods, highlighting new dynamic phenomena.

Findings

Sustained oscillations observed for over a day in droplets

Identification of slow desynchronization between compartments

Detection of kinematic spatial waves in the system

Abstract

We report the splitting of an oscillating DNA circuit into $\sim 700$ droplets with picoliter volumes. Upon incubation at constant temperature, the droplets display sustained oscillations that can be observed for more than a day. Superimposed to the bulk behaviour, we find two intriguing new phenomena - slow desynchronization between the compartments and kinematic spatial waves - and investigate their possible origin. This approach provides a route to study the influence of small volume effects in biology, and paves the way to technological applications of compartmentalized molecular programs controlling complex dynamics.