Microplate Selection and Recommended Practices in High-Throughput Screening and Quantitative Biology
NLM Citation: Auld DSPh.D., Coassin PAB.S., Coussens NPPh.D., et al. Microplate Selection and Recommended Practices in High-throughput Screening and Quantitative Biology. 2020 Jun 1. In: Sittampalam GS, Grossman A, Brimacombe K, et al., editors. Assay Guidance Manual [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): Eli Lilly & Company and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; 2004-. Bookshelf URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/ Microplate Selection and Recommended Practices in High-throughput Screening and Quantitative Biology Douglas S. Auld, Ph.D.,1 Peter A. Coassin, B.S.,2 Nathan P. Coussens, Ph.D.,3 Paul Hensley,4 Carleen Klumpp-Thomas,5 Sam Michael,5 G. Sitta Sittampalam, Ph.D.,5 O. Joseph Trask, B.S.,6 Bridget K. Wagner, Ph.D.,7 Jeffrey R. Weidner, Ph.D.,8 Mary Jo Wildey, Ph.D.,9 and Jayme L. Dahlin, M.D., Ph.D. 7,10 Created: June 1, 2020. Abstract High-throughput screening (HTS) can efficiently assay multiple discrete biological reactions using multi-well microplates. The choice of microplate is a crucial yet often overlooked technical decision in HTS and quantitative biology. This chapter reviews key criteria for microplate selection, including: well number, well volume and shape, microplate color, surface treatments/coatings, and considerations for specialized applications such as high-content screening. This chapter then provides important technical advice for microplate handling including mixing, dispensing, incubation, and centrifugation. Special topics are discussed, including microplate surface properties, plate washing, well-to-well contamination, microplate positional effects, well-to-well and inter-lot variability, and troubleshooting. This information and best practices derived from academic, government, and industry screening centers, as well as microplate vendors, should accelerate assay development and enhance assay quality.
[Show full text]