Microplate
A microplate, also known as a microtiter plate or microplate, is a flat, plastic plate with a secure lid that contains a number of individual wells, or compartments, which can each contain a different sample. It is a common laboratory equipment used in the biomolecular sciences for storing and performing experiments in a very small space.
Microplates were first developed in the late 1960s as a way to simplify and automate the process of performing biochemical assays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), which require numerous sequential steps and can be time consuming. They revolutionized biochemical research, as they allowed researchers to rapidly perform assays on multiple samples simultaneously. The standard microplate format, which is 96 wells arranged in 8 columns and 12 rows, is now used in virtually all biological laboratories around the world.
Microplates come in a variety of formats and sizes, depending on the individual application. Some have 6, 24, 48, or even 384 wells, arranged in different configurations. Microplates can also be round, square, or any other shape. The common formats are “assay” plates, which have low walls between the wells, and “storage” plates, which have high walls that decrease the risk of sample cross-contamination.
Though microplates are made of plastic, they can be reused many times, as long as they are maintained properly and sterilized between uses. To do this, the plate must be carefully washed with a detergent and then rinsed several times. It must then be thoroughly air dried before use.
The most commonly used microplates are the ones that are used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, or ELISAs. This is a sensitive and reliable method for detecting the presence of antigens, antibodies, or other kinds of molecules in a sample. To perform an ELISA, the plate is first coated with antibodies that will bind to a target molecule, antigen, or antibody. Then, the sample is added to the well, followed by a solution containing an enzyme-labeled molecule that will bind to the target molecule. Finally, the enzyme is detected by adding a chromogenic substrate, which is then converted to a color. Analysis of the color intensity can then be used to calculate the amount of target molecule, antibody, or antigen in the sample.
In addition to ELISA assays, microplates are used for all sorts of biochemical and biophysical experiments, such as cell-culture and DNA/RNA research, drug screening, and many other applications. Microplates are also becoming popular for diagnostic purposes, as they are small and easy to use, and can detect disease even in low concentrations of an analyte.
Microplates have greatly revolutionized modern research, and continue to be an invaluable tool in the life sciences.
