Beyond the 96-Well Microplate: Instruments and Assay Methods for the 384-Well Format

Abstract

A new microplate scintillation and luminescence counter (TopCount™ HTS, Packard) has been developed for counting both 96- and 384-well microplates. The first assay methods tested in the 384-well plate were the scintillation proximity assay and the luciferase reporter gene assay. The binding curve and luciferase induction were identical in either plate format. The signal-to-noise ratio (maximum binding divided by nonspecific binding) in the 384-well plate is equal to or greater than those measured in the 96-well format resulting in a comparable assay window. Reagent pipetting for SPA, including the scintillating beads, was performed with the MultiPROBETm 104 Automated Liquid Handling System (Packard, Meridan, CT). This instrument has both the positioning and pipetting accuracy to support the 384-well microplate; therefore, making complete automation practical. With little or no optimization, both the SPA and the luciferase reporter gene assay could be miniaturized to 50 ,Il volumes or less.

Emerging Brain‐Pathophysiology‐Mimetic Platforms for Studying Neurodegenerative Diseases: Brain Organoids and Brains‐on‐a‐Chip

“…[ 207 ] Traditional culture platforms, such as 96‐well plates, are readily available for high‐throughput screening using automated analyzers. [ 208 ] For the production of BoC compatible with traditional culture platforms, thermoplastic‐based BoCs that can be massively produced by injection molding are beneficial for mass production, quality control, and long‐term storage. Recently, an automated liquid supply system and a high‐throughput imaging system have been developed for thermoplastic‐based organ‐on‐a‐chip.…”

LC/MS applications in drug development

“…A 96-well plate format has been the standard for drug screening over the past 10 years (Babiak, 1997), and miniaturized formats using a 384-well plate and still smaller ones have begun to appear in the pharmaceutical industry (Kolb and Neumann, 1997). It is likely that these formats, or a derivative, in combination with the LC/MS assay will provide the necessary throughput for liquid handling of samples (Wells 1999a(Wells , 1999b.…”

LC/MS Applications in Drug Development

“…A 96-well plate format has been the standard for drug screening over the past ten years (Bubiak, 1997), and miniaturized formats using a 384-well plate and still smaller ones have begun to appear in the pharmaceutical industry (Kolb & Neumann, 1997). It is likely that these formats, or a derivative, in combination with the LC/MS assay will provide the necessary throughput for liquid handling of samples.…”