mikrotiterplatta

A microtiter plate, also known as a multiwell plate, is a laboratory instrument used for the cultivation of cells, the storage of samples, and the performance of biochemical assays. It consists of a flat, rectangular base with a grid of small, individual wells, typically ranging from 6 to 384 in number. Each well is designed to hold a specific volume of liquid, usually between 100 microliters and 1 milliliter, depending on the plate's size.

Microtiter plates are commonly made of polystyrene, which is transparent and allows for easy observation of reactions or cell growth. They are available in various sizes, including 96-well, 384-well, and 1536-well plates, each offering different levels of throughput and precision for experimental setups. The wells can be either flat-bottomed or have specific shapes, such as V-bottomed or U-bottomed, to accommodate different types of assays and cell cultures.

These plates are widely used in high-throughput screening (HTS) for drug discovery, where they enable the simultaneous testing of multiple compounds or samples. They are also utilized in molecular biology for tasks such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cell-based assays. Additionally, microtiter plates are employed in cell culture for the growth and maintenance of cell lines, as well as in the storage of biological samples for future analysis.

The use of microtiter plates has revolutionized laboratory practices by enhancing efficiency, reducing sample volume requirements, and facilitating automation in experimental workflows. Their versatility and reliability make them indispensable tools in various scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology.