Microtiter plates

Microtiter plates (also known as microplates or micro wells) are flat plates with multiple "wells" used as small test tubes. The microplate has become a standard tool in analytical research and clinical diagnostic testing laboratories. A very common usage is in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the basis of most modern medical diagnostic testing in humans and animals.

History

The concept of microplates was first introduced by Hungarian scientist Dr. Gyula Takátsy in the late 1950s. The first microplate was a 6x12 matrix with 72 wells in total, but today the 8x12 matrix with 96 wells is most commonly used.

Design

Microplates are usually rectangular and typically the dimensions of a microplate are 128 mm by 86 mm (about 5 by 3.5 inches), the size of an index card. The depth of the wells are typically between 5 and 20 mm.

Types

There are different types of microplates for different purposes, with various numbers of wells, typically 6, 24, 96, 384 or 1536 wells, and a few between 96 and 384 wells. Microplates can be either transparent or opaque, depending on their purpose.

Applications

Microplates are used in a wide variety of applications, including ELISA, PCR, cell culture, protein purification, and many others. They are essential tools in research, drug discovery, bioassay validation, quality control, and manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry and academic organizations.

See also

• ELISA
• PCR
• Cell culture
• Protein purification

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