Continuous interleaved process for conducting an assay in a multi-well plate
First Claim
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1. A method for conducting an assay in a multi-well assay plate using an apparatus comprising (a) a light detection subsystem, (b) a liquid handling subsystem, (c) a plate handling subsystem, and (d) a computer for controlling operation of said apparatus;
- said method comprising a computer-implemented continuous interleaved process including the following steps, performed sequentially, for a plurality of individual wells in said multi-well plate;
(i) adding sample to an individual well during a sample addition phase comprising time slice n;
(ii) incubating said sample in said individual well during an incubation phase comprising time slice m;
(iii) adding reagent to said individual well during a reagent addition phase comprising time slice p such that, in said continuous interleaved process, steps (i)-(iii) are carried out on a first well of said plurality of wells, steps (i)-(iii) are repeated on another at least two wells of said plurality of wells after at least step (i) is completed on said first well, and at least step (i) is completed on said another at least two wells of said plurality of wells before step (ii) is completed on said first well;
(iv) tracking, via a software scheduler, status of steps (i)-(iii) for each of said individual wells; and
(v) comparing an assay signal from said individual well to a pre-defined threshold and repeating steps (i)-(iv) if said assay signal differs from said threshold.
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Abstract
We describe a method for conducting an assay in a multi-well assay plate using an apparatus comprising a light detection subsystem, a liquid handling subsystem, and a plate handling subsystem. This is particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, it may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.
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18 Claims
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1. A method for conducting an assay in a multi-well assay plate using an apparatus comprising (a) a light detection subsystem, (b) a liquid handling subsystem, (c) a plate handling subsystem, and (d) a computer for controlling operation of said apparatus;
- said method comprising a computer-implemented continuous interleaved process including the following steps, performed sequentially, for a plurality of individual wells in said multi-well plate;
(i) adding sample to an individual well during a sample addition phase comprising time slice n; (ii) incubating said sample in said individual well during an incubation phase comprising time slice m; (iii) adding reagent to said individual well during a reagent addition phase comprising time slice p such that, in said continuous interleaved process, steps (i)-(iii) are carried out on a first well of said plurality of wells, steps (i)-(iii) are repeated on another at least two wells of said plurality of wells after at least step (i) is completed on said first well, and at least step (i) is completed on said another at least two wells of said plurality of wells before step (ii) is completed on said first well; (iv) tracking, via a software scheduler, status of steps (i)-(iii) for each of said individual wells; and (v) comparing an assay signal from said individual well to a pre-defined threshold and repeating steps (i)-(iv) if said assay signal differs from said threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- said method comprising a computer-implemented continuous interleaved process including the following steps, performed sequentially, for a plurality of individual wells in said multi-well plate;
Specification