In 1984, CytoFluidics, Inc., later becoming the Cytonix Corporation, first demonstrated digital micro-manipulation of chemical & biological fluids by electromagnetically controlling the surface energy of hydrophobic and super-hydrophobic surfaces.  Electro-Wetting is an Electro-Kinetic effect that was used on a microscopic scale to load channels and reservoirs, direct the flow of fluids usng pumps and valves, and move packets of liquid along directed paths in an open matrix.  This work became largely public domain after publication of a 1987-89 National Science Foundation sponsored SBIR Phase II investigation. 

Since that time, Cytonix has been actively engaged in the development of hydrophobic and super hydrophobic materials and of miniaturized fluidic systems, including formats for Digital PCR™.  Patents are issued and pending that relate to the use of Electro-Wetting to manipulate liquids containing nucleic acids.  The rights to Digital PCR and related technologies have been exclusively licensed to Genomic Nanosystems, LLC.   For further information, please contact Elaine Lanza (elanza@cytonix.com) or Luke Ratnasinghe (lukeratnasinghe@gnanosystems.com).