Microplates with UV permeable bottom wells

Abstract

Microplates and methods for manufacturing microplates. The microplate is designed to allow UV radiation to pass through the bottom wells of the microplate so that the microplate can be used for assaying samples by use of UV absorbance. In one embodiment, the microplate comprises at least first and second wells, each well having a UV permeable bottom. In another embodiment, the microplate comprises a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion contiguous with the upper portion and a sheet disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion and defining the bottom of at least one well of the microplate. One embodiment of the method includes steps of inserting a sheet of UV permeable material into a mold cavity that includes sections shaped to form the sidewalls of the plurality of wells, injecting molten plastic material into the mold cavity, and cooling the plastic material to form the microplate with the plastic material forming the sidewalls of each of the first and second wells and the sheet of UV permeable material forming the bottom of each of the first and second wells. Another embodiment of the method includes providing an upper plate defining sidewalls of at least one well, adhering an intermediate layer to the upper plate and adhering a sheet of UV permeable material to the intermediate layer. A further embodiment of the method includes inserting a sheet of material having at least one hole into a mold cavity, injecting a molten plastic material into the mold cavity and cooling the plastic material to form a microplate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to microplates for assaying samples, and more specifically to microplates that have UV permeable bottom wells and methods of making such microplates.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe recent growth in many areas of biotechnology has increased the demand to perform a variety of studies, commonly referred to as assays, of biochemical systems. These assays include, for example, biochemical reaction kinetics, DNA melting point determinations, DNA spectral shifts, DNA and protein concentration measurements, excitation / emission of fluorescent probes, enzyme activities, enzyme-cofactor assays, homogeneous assays, drug metabolite assays, drug concentration assays, dispensing confirmation, volume confirmation, solvent concentration confirmation and solvation confirmation. Since most components of biochemical systems absorb radiation in the ultraviolet (UV) region of the electromagnetic spectrum (200 nm to 400 nm), UV absorption spectr...

Images