The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and
high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and
solid substrate component for attaching ligand(s) on its surface. The elastomeric layer comprises (a) a plurality of first flow channels; (b) a plurality of second flow channels each intersecting and crossing each of said first flow channels thereby providing a plurality of intersecting areas formed at intersections between said first flow channels and said second flow channels, wherein said plurality of first flow channels and said plurality of second flow channels are adapted to allow the flow of a solution therethrough, and wherein said
solid substrate surface is in fluid communication with at least said intersecting areas of said plurality of first flow channels and said plurality of second flow channels, and wherein said plurality of first flow channels and / or said plurality of second flow channels are capable of forming a plurality of looped flow channels; (c) a plurality of control channels; (d) a plurality of first
control valves each operatively disposed with respect to each of said first flow channel to regulate flow of the solution through said first flow channels, wherein each of said first
control valves comprises a first
control channel and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from said first flow channel upon which said first control valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to said first
control channel, the elastomeric segment when positioned in said first flow channel restricting
solution flow therethrough; (e) a plurality of second
control valves each operatively disposed with respect to each of said second flow channel to regulate flow of the solution through said second flow channels, wherein each of said second control valves comprises a second
control channel and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from said second flow channel upon which said second control valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to said second control channel, the elastomeric segment when positioned in said second flow channel restricting
solution flow therethrough; (f) a plurality of loop forming control valves each operatively disposed with respect to each of said first and / or said second flow channels to form said plurality of looped flow channels, wherein each of said loop forming control valves comprises a loop forming control channel and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from said first and / or said second flow channels upon which said loop forming control valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to said loop forming control channel, the elastomeric segment when positioned in said first and / or said second flow channels restricting
solution flow therethrough thereby forming said looped flow channel; and (g) a plurality of recirculating pumps, and wherein each recirculating pump is operatively disposed with respect to one of said looped flow channels such that circulation of solution through each of said looped flow channels can be regulated by one of said recirculating pumps.