Droplet-based microfluidic systems have been shown to be compatible with many chemical and biological reagents and capable of performing a variety of operations that can be rendered programmable and reconfigurable.

Correction for ‘Droplet microfluidics: fundamentals and its advanced applications’ by Somayeh Sohrabi et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 27560–27574, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA04566G.

Control of protein adsorption is essential for successful integration of healthcare materials into the body. Human plasma fibrinogen (HPF), especially its conformation is a key upstream regulator for platelet behavior and thus pathological clot formation at the blood‐biomaterial interface. A previous study by the authors revealed that the conformation of adsorbed HPF can be controlled by rutile surface crystallographic orientation. Therefore, it is hypothesized that pre‐adsorbed HPF on specific rutile orientation can regulate platelets adhesion and activation. Here, it is shown that platelets exposed to the four low index (110), (100), (101), (001) facets of TiO2 (rutile) exhibit surface‐specific behavior. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of platelets morphology and P‐selectin expression measurement revealed that on (110) facets, platelets adhesion and activation are suppressed. In contrast, extensive surface coverage by fully activated platelets is observed on (001) facets. Platelets' behavior has been linked to the HPF conformation and thereby availability of platelet‐binding sequences. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging supported by immunochemical analysis shows that on (110) facets, HPF is adsorbed in trinodular conformation rendering the γ400‐411 platelet‐binding sequence inaccessible. This research has potential implications on the bioactivity of different materials crystal facets, reducing the risk of pathological clot formation and thromboembolic complications.

Retraction of ‘Droplet microfluidics: fundamentals and its advanced applications’ by Somayeh Sohrabi et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 27560–27574, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA04566G.

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