Microtiter plates
Microtiter Plates
Microtiter plates (pronunciation: /ˈmaɪkroʊˌtaɪtər pleɪts/), also known as microplates or multiwell plates, are flat plates with multiple "wells" used as small test tubes. The term "microtiter" comes from the combination of "micro" meaning small and "titer" which is a measure of concentration.
Microtiter plates are a crucial tool in analytical research and clinical diagnostic testing laboratories. They are used in a variety of experimental workflows including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), cell culture, nucleic acid purification, protein purification, and high-throughput screening among others.
History
The concept of microtiter plates was first introduced in the late 1950s by the Hungarian-born American scientist, Dr. Gabor Kelen. The original design was a 6x12 matrix with 72 wells, but the modern standard is a 8x12 matrix with 96 wells.
Design and Usage
Microtiter plates typically have 6, 24, 96, 384 or 1536 sample wells arranged in a 2:3 rectangular matrix. Each well functions as a separate container in which separate reactions can take place. This allows for multiple tests to be conducted simultaneously, increasing the efficiency of the testing process.
The plates are usually made of polypropylene or polystyrene due to their ability to withstand the chemicals used in the reaction. They can be either transparent or black/white for specific optical readings.
Related Terms
- ELISA plates: A type of microtiter plate used specifically for ELISA test.
- Cell culture plates: Microtiter plates designed for cell culture.
- Assay plate: A generic term for plates used in assays, including microtiter plates.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Microtiter plates
- Wikipedia's article - Microtiter plates
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