MICROFLUIDIC METHOD FOR SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for the detection of a compound of interest in a microfluidic system comprising the steps of:a. creating at least one droplet in said microfluidic system, said at least one droplet comprising:i. at least one single cell,ii. one or more first capturing agent, wherein said one or more first capturing agent is capable of binding said single cell as well as said compound of interest,iii. one or more second capturing agent comprising a label, wherein said one or more second capturing agent is capable of binding said compound of interest,b. incubating said at least one droplet capable of generating a detectable event,c. subjecting said at least one droplet to a direct detection,wherein the presence or the relocalization of said detectable event within said at least one droplet determines the presence of said compound of interest.A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the method according to the first aspect for monitoring a biological event.A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for the detection of a compound of interest in a droplet comprising the steps of:a. providing a microfluidic system comprising:i. at least one inlet,ii. at least one outlet,iii. one or more channels,b. injecting in said microfluidic system a stream of droplets, wherein at least one droplet comprises:i. at least one single cellsii. a plurality of a first capturing agents capable of binding said single cell as well as said compound of interest, andiii. a plurality of second capturing agents, each comprising a label, wherein said plurality of second capturing agents is capable of binding said compound of interest,c. incubating said plurality of droplets under conditions that allow the production of the compound of interest, whereby if the compound of interest is produced by the single cell, it will be captured by said plurality of first and second capturing agents,d. determining the presence of the compound of interest by means of detecting a presence or relocalization of said label.A fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microfluidic system comprising:a. at least one inlet,b. at least one outlet,c. one or more channels,d. a module for creating at least one droplet comprising:a.one or more single cell,b.a first capturing agent,c. a second capturing agent.e. a detection module detecting droplet containing cells producing compound of interest, andf. an analysis mo