Assay plates, reader systems and methods for luminescence test measurements

• US 20040022677A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meso Scale Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Favor of MESO Scale Technologi
• Inventors: Wohlstadter, Jacob N., Kishbaugh, Alan, Jeffrey-Coker, Bandele, Wilbur, James, Fischer, Alan B., Debad, Jeff D., Glezer, Eli, Clinton, Charles, Johnson, Kent, Sigal, George
• Granted Patent: US 7,842,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/52
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0851 Bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/50 Clamping means, tongs in general F16B2/06
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/56 Means for indicating position of a recipient or sample in an array
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/042 moved independently, e.g. by fork manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0425 Stacks, magazines or elevators for plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0494 Detecting or compensating piositioning errors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/66 electrically excited, e.g. electroluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/69 specially adapted for fluids , e.g. molten metal
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes

Abstract

Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

Claims

1. A multi-well plate for conducting luminescence assays comprising a plate bottom, wherein said plate bottom comprises independently addressable sectors of jointly addressable electrodes patterned thereon.

92. A method for measuring luminescence from the multi-well assay plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, comprising providing electrical energy to said wells in sectors, inducing luminescence in sectors, measuring said luminescence in sectors or combinations thereof.

93. A system for conducting an assay comprising an assay apparatus and the multi-well assay plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63.

94. A system for conducting a luminescence assay comprising a luminescence apparatus and the multi-well assay plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63.

95. A system for conducting an electrode induced luminescence assay comprising the multi-well assay plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63 and an apparatus for inducing and measuring luminescence from said plate.

101. A kit for use in conducting electrode induced luminescence assays comprising:

(i) the multi-well assay plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63 or the assay module of any of claims 41 or 73-87 and (ii) at least one assay component selected from the group consisting of;

(a) at least one luminescent label; and

(b) at least one electrochemiluminescence coreactant.

102. The kit of claim 101, wherein said wells include at least two different bioreagents.

111. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-30 or 46-63, wherein said multi-well assay plate is a standard multi-well assay plate.

112. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-30 or 46-63, wherein said multi-well assay plate is a 2 well plate, 6 well plate, 24 well plate, 96 well plate, 384 well plate, 1536 well plate, 6144 well plate or 9600 well plate.

128. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 115-119, wherein said sectors comprise a 4×

4 array of said wells.

129. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 115-119, wherein said plate comprises a 2×

3 array of sectors.

131. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 115-119, wherein said sectors comprise one or more rows or one or more columns of said wells.

132. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 115-119, wherein said sectors comprise a row or column of said plurality of wells.

133. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 115-119, wherein said sectors comprise jointly addressable rows or columns of wells.

134. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 115-119, wherein said plate comprises an array of overlapping sectors, each sector comprising alternating members of a row and/or a column of said plurality of wells.

135. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 115-119, wherein said plate comprises segmented rows and/or segmented columns, said segmented rows or segmented columns comprising alternating wells and at least two sectors are overlapping on said plate.

136. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 115-119, wherein said sectors comprise one or more electrically connected electrodes.

138. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-24, further comprising a plurality of independently addressable sectors of jointly addressable wells on said plate, wherein said plate further comprises a bottom surface comprising at least two electrical contact surfaces electrically connected to said plurality of independently addressable sectors of jointly addressable wells.

143. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 21, 53, or 66, wherein said electrodes comprise carbon.

144. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 21, 53, or 66, wherein said electrodes comprise a carbon layer on a silver layer.

145. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 21, 53, or 66, wherein said electrodes comprise carbon particles.

146. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 21, 53, or 66, wherein said electrodes comprise carbon fibrils or carbon black.

147. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 21, 53, or 66, wherein said electrodes comprise carbon fibrils.

148. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 21, 53, or 66, wherein said electrodes comprise a carbon ink.

149. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 21, 53, or 66, wherein said electrodes comprise a printed conductive material.

150. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 21, 53, or 66, wherein said electrodes comprise a conductive material applied in liquid form.

151. The multi-well plate of claim 1, 53, or 66, wherein one or more of said electrodes comprise electrodes having a plurality of assay domains formed thereon.

152. The multi-well plate of claim 21, 50, or 151, wherein said plurality of assay domains comprises at least four assay domains.

153. The multi-well plate of claim 21, 50, or 151, wherein said plurality of assay domains comprises at least seven assay domains.

154. The multi-well plate of claim 21, 50, or 151, wherein said plurality of assay domains comprises at least ten assay domains.

155. The assay module of claim 21, 50, or 151, wherein said plurality of assay domains comprises at least twenty-five assay domains.

156. The multi-well plate of claim 21, 50, or 151, wherein said assay domains comprise immobilized reagents.

157. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 151-156, wherein said assay domains comprise one or more immobilized reagents selected from:

antibodies, fragments of antibodies, proteins, enzymes, enzyme substrates, inhibitors, cofactors, antigens, haptens, lipoproteins, liposaccharides, cells, sub-cellular components, cell receptors, viruses, nucleic acids, antigens, lipids, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, peptides, amino acids, hormones, protein-binding ligands, pharmacological agents, luminescent labels or combinations thereof.

158. The multi-well plate of claim 156 or 157, wherein said immobilized reagents comprise proteins, nucleic acids, or combinations thereof.

159. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1, 15, 31, 36, 53, or 66, wherein one or more of said electrodes have surfaces defined by a plurality of fluid containment regions, said containment regions comprising a plurality of different reagents for conducting multiple measurements in one well.

160. The multi-well plate of claim 159, wherein the surfaces defined by said plurality of fluid containment regions comprise plurality of different reagents for conducting multiple assays in one well.

161. The multi-well plate of claim 159, wherein said plurality of fluid containment regions are defined by holes in one or more dielectric layers on said electrodes.

231. The multi-well plate of claim 1 or 66, wherein said plate bottom comprises a plastic.

232. The multi-well plate of claim 1 or 66, wherein said plate bottom comprises conductive particles incorporated into or on said plastic.

233. The multi-well plate of claim 1 or 66, wherein said plate bottom comprises carbon particles incorporated into or on said plastic.

234. The multi-well plate of claim 1 or 66, wherein said plate bottom comprises carbon fibrils incorporated into or on said plastic.

235. The multi-well plate of claim 1 or 66, wherein said plate bottom is substantially free of silicon and silicone.

236. The multi-well plate of claim 1 or 66, wherein said plate bottom comprises a porous material.

237. The multi-well plate of claim 236, wherein said porous material is a filter.

256. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, wherein said wells comprise an inner bottom surface and said inner surface is oxidized to expose a conductive surface.

257. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, wherein said wells comprise an inner bottom surface and said inner bottom surface is oxidized to produce functionality for coupling with an assay component.

258. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, wherein said wells are treated with a bifunctional reagent for coupling.

259. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, wherein said wells comprise an inner surface and said inner surface is surface treated with a bifunctional reagent for coupling with an assay component.

260. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, further comprising a biospecific binder on an inner surface of said wells.

261. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, further comprising one or more assay reagents in said plurality of wells.

262. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, further comprising one or more immobilized reagents selected from:

antibodies, fragments of antibodies, proteins, enzymes, enzyme substrates, inhibitors, cofactors, antigens, haptens, lipoproteins, liposaccharides, cells, sub-cellular components, cell receptors, viruses, nucleic acids, antigens, lipids, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, peptides, amino acids, hormones, protein-binding ligands, pharmacological agents, luminescent labels or combinations thereof.

263. The multi-well plate of any of claim 262, wherein said immobilized reagents comprise proteins, nucleic acids, or combinations thereof.

264. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, wherein two or more of said wells comprise one or more assay reagents.

265. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, wherein two or more of said wells comprise one or more samples.

266. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, further comprising a luminescent label in one or more of said plurality of wells.

267. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, wherein said multi-well plate further includes one or more chemiluminescence wells and/or fluorescence wells.

268. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40 or 46-63, wherein said multi-well plate further includes one or more chemiluminescence wells comprising a chemiluminescence reagent and/or one or more fluorescence wells comprising a fluorescence reagent.

274. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, wherein said well walls comprise 6-12 wt % whitener.

276. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, wherein the inner surface of said wells is substantially free of silicon and silicone.

278. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, further comprising an identification marking.

279. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, further comprising a bar code.

280. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, further comprising a marking and/or structural component adapted for determining plate orientation.

281. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, further comprising a lid configured to cover said wells.

282. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, further comprising a beveled corner.

283. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, further comprising lips for grabbing by a robotic handler.

284. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, further comprising legs or a shirt adapted to elevate said plate.

285. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1 or 66, further comprising a conductive coating on said plate bottom.

287. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 1-40, 46-63 or 66, further comprising a stiffening support to reduce flexing or bending of the multi-well plate.

289. The multi-well plate of claim 287, wherein said stiffening support comprises a non-conductive material and is attached to the multi-well plate and comprises one or more openings allowing for electrical contact with said multi-well plate bottom.

325. A method of making the multi-well plate of claim 1, comprising:

(a) forming said patterned electrodes and two or more working electrode contacts connected to said patterned electrodes on said bottom plate, thereby forming said independently addressable sectors of jointly addressable electrodes; and

(b) attaching a top plate having a plurality of openings onto said bottom plates;

wherein said plurality of openings forms a plurality of wells, each having at least one working electrode.

328. The multi-well plate of claim 1, wherein said electrodes comprise metal-coated pressure sensitive adhesive.

329. The multi-well plate of claim 1, wherein said electrodes comprise evaporated metal.

332. The system of claim 93, 94 or 95, wherein said multi-well plate further comprises an assay buffer.

333. The system of claim 93, 94 or 95, wherein said multi-well plate further comprises one or more assay samples.

334. The system of claim 93, 94 or 95, wherein said multi-well plate further comprises an assay buffer.

2. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein said plurality of wells comprise:

(a) a first set of two or more wells, each well comprising a first electrode surface and a second electrode surface, wherein said first electrode surfaces of said two or more wells of said first set are electrically connected and said second electrode surfaces of said two or more wells of said first set are electrically connected and (b) a second set of two or more wells, each well comprising a first electrode surface and a second electrode surface, wherein said first electrode surfaces of said two or more wells of said second set are electrically connected and said second electrode surfaces of said two or more wells of said second set are electrically connected, wherein said electrode surfaces of said first set and said electrode surfaces of said second set are independently addressable.

3. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein two or more of said plurality of wells each comprise a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein said working electrode surface and/or said counter electrode surface comprise carbon.

139. The multi-well plate of claim 3, 4, 5, 8, 30, or 51, wherein said working electrode surface and said counter electrode surface are at the same vertical height within said wells.

140. The multi-well plate of claim 3, 4, 5, 8, 30, or 51, wherein the average spacing between said working electrode surface and said counter electrode surface is less than 0.1 inches.

141. The multi-well plate of claim 3, 4, 5, 8, 30, or 51, wherein the average spacing between said working electrode surface and said counter electrode surface is less than 0.05 inches.

142. The multi-well plate of claim 3, 4, 5, 8, 30, or 51, wherein the average spacing between said working electrode surface and said counter electrode surface is less than 0.01 inches.

4. A multi-well plate comprising a plurality of wells, wherein two or more of said plurality of wells each comprise a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein said working electrode surface and/or said counter electrode surface comprise screen printed carbon.

5. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein two or more of said plurality of wells each comprise a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein said working electrode surface comprises carbon and said counter electrode surface comprises a metal.

6. The multi-well plate of claim 5, wherein said metal comprises aluminum, silver or nickel.

7. The multi-well plate of claim 5, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises aluminum.

8. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein two or more of said plurality of wells each comprise a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises a metal on an adhesive layer.

9. The multi-well plate of claim 8, wherein said metal comprises aluminum, silver or nickel.

10. The multi-well plate of claim 8, wherein said metal comprises aluminum.

113. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2-21, 25-30, 46 or 50, wherein said plurality of wells comprise rows and columns of wells.

114. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2-21, 25-30, 46 or 50, wherein said plurality of wells comprise an array of wells including rows and columns.

115. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2-21, 25-30, 46 or 50-51, wherein said plurality of wells are electrically addressable in sectors.

116. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2-21, 25-30, 46 or 50-51, wherein said plate comprises a plurality of independently addressable sectors comprising two or more wells.

117. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2-21, 25-30, 46 or 50-51, wherein said plate comprises a plurality of independently addressable sectors comprising a plurality of wells.

118. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2-21, 25-30, 46 or 50-51, wherein said plate comprises a plurality of independently addressable sectors, two or more of said sectors comprising two or more wells.

119. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2-21, 25-30, 46 or 50-51, wherein said plurality of wells are partitioned into separately addressable sectors.

120. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 115-119, wherein said sectors include more than one well and less than 50% of said plurality of wells.

121. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 115-119, wherein said sectors include more than one well and less than 40% of said plurality of wells.

122. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 115-119, wherein said sectors include more than one well and less than 30% of said plurality of wells.

123. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 115-119, wherein said sectors include more than one well and less than 20% of said plurality of wells.

124. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 115-119, wherein said sectors include more than one well and less than 15% of said plurality of wells.

125. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 115-119, wherein said sectors include more than one well and less than 10% of said plurality of wells.

126. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 115-119, wherein said sectors include more than one well and less than 5% of said plurality of wells.

127. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 115-119, wherein said sectors comprise a sub-array of said plurality of wells.

130. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2-21, 25-30, 46 or 50-51, wherein said plate comprises six sectors, each sector having a 4×

4 array of said plurality of wells.

252. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-10, 18, 30, or 51, further comprising one or more counter electrode contacts electrically connected to said one or more counter electrode surfaces.

253. The multi-well plate of claim 252, wherein said counter electrode electrical contacts are connected to said one or more counter electrodes via substrate through-holes.

254. The multi-well plate of claim 253, wherein said conductive substrate through-holes are filled with a conductive material.

255. The multi-well plate of claim 252, wherein said counter electrode contacts are formed by screen-printing a conductive material onto a surface of said plate.

11. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein two or more of said wells have a first electrode surface and a second electrode surface, wherein said first electrode surface is centered at the bottom of said well and said second electrode surface is adjacent the periphery of the bottom of said well.

12. The multi-well plate of claim 11, wherein said first electrode surface is a working electrode and said second electrode surface is a counter electrode.

13. The multi-well plate of claim 11, wherein said first electrode surface and second electrode surface are at the same height within said wells.

14. The multi-well plate of claim 11, wherein said first electrode surface is completely surrounded by said second electrode surface.

162. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises carbon.

163. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises a carbon layer on a silver layer.

164. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises carbon particles.

165. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises carbon fibrils or carbon black.

166. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises carbon fibrils.

167. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises a carbon ink.

168. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises a printed conductive material.

169. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises a conductive material applied in liquid form.

171. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises one or more binding reagents immobilized thereon.

172. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface comprises electrodes having a plurality of assay domains formed thereon.

173. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said second electrode surface comprises a metal.

174. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said second electrode surface comprises a metal selected from silver, aluminum or nickel.

175. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said second electrode surface comprises aluminum.

176. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2, 11 or 17, wherein said second electrode surface comprises carbon.

195. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 12, 17, or 21, wherein said working electrode comprises carbon.

196. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 12, 17, or 21, wherein said working electrode comprises a carbon layer on a silver layer.

197. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 12, 17, or 21, wherein said working electrode comprises carbon particles.

198. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 12, 17, or 21, wherein said working electrode comprises carbon fibrils or carbon black.

199. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 12, 17, or 21, wherein said working electrode comprises carbon fibrils.

200. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 12, 17, or 21, wherein said working electrode is located at the center of the well bottom.

201. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 12, 17, or 21, wherein said working electrode comprises one or more binding reagents immobilized thereon.

202. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 12, 17, or 21, wherein said working electrode comprises electrodes having a plurality of assay domains formed thereon.

230. The multi-well plate of claim 12 or 17, further comprising a dielectric layer, said dielectric layer defining a plurality of fluid containment regions for confining fluids on said working electrode.

330. The multi-well plate of claim 2, 11, or 17, wherein said first electrode surface and/or said second electrode surface comprise metal-coated pressure sensitive adhesive.

331. The multi-well plate of claim 2, 11 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface and/or said second electrode surface comprise evaporated metal.

15. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, said wells comprising a plurality of working electrodes per well.

16. The multi-well plate of claim 15, wherein said working electrodes comprise one or more proteins immobilized thereon.

137. The multi-well plate of claim 15, 53 or 66, wherein said two or more of said working electrodes are jointly addressable.

247. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 15 or 21, further comprising one or more working electrode electrical contacts electrically connected to said working electrodes.

248. The multi-well plate of claim 247, wherein said one or more working electrode electrical contacts are connected to said working electrodes via conductive through-holes.

249. The multi-well plate of claim 248, wherein said conductive through-holes are filled with a conductive material.

250. The multi-well plate of claim 248, wherein said conductive through-holes are positioned between or adjacent said wells.

251. The multi-well plate of claim 247, wherein said working electrode electrical contacts are formed by screen printing a conductive material onto a surface of said substrate.

17. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, said wells having a first electrode surface suitable for use as a working electrode in an electrode induced luminescence assay and a second electrode surface suitable for use as a counter electrode in said electrode induced luminescence assay, wherein the surface ratio of said first electrode surface to said second electrode surface is at least 2 to 1.

170. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 2 or 17, wherein said first electrode surface is centered at the well bottom.

18. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, each well comprising a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein the working electrode surface is bounded by a dielectric surface, said working electrode surface being less hydrophobic than said dielectric surface.

19. The multi-well plate of claim 18, wherein said working electrode surface has a contact angle for water 20 degrees less than the dielectric surface.

177. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, or 51, wherein said working electrode surface comprises carbon.

178. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, or 51, wherein said working electrode surface comprises a carbon layer on a silver layer.

179. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises carbon particles.

180. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises carbon fibrils or carbon black.

181. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises carbon fibrils.

182. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises carbon ink.

183. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises a printed conductive material.

184. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises a conductive material applied in liquid form.

185. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface is located at the center of the well bottom.

186. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises one or more binding reagents immobilized thereon.

187. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises electrodes having a plurality of assay domains formed thereon.

188. The multi-well plate of claim 187, wherein said plurality of assay domains comprises at least four assay domains.

189. The multi-well plate of claim 187 or 188, wherein said assay domains comprise immobilized reagents.

190. The multi-well plate of claim 187 or 188, wherein said assay domains comprise one or more immobilized reagents selected from:

antibodies, fragments of antibodies, proteins, enzymes, enzyme substrates, inhibitors, cofactors, antigens, haptens, lipoproteins, liposaccharides, cells, sub-cellular components, cell receptors, viruses, nucleic acids, antigens, lipids, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, peptides, amino acids, hormones, protein-binding ligands, pharmacological agents, luminescent labels or combinations thereof.

191. The multi-well plate of claim 190, wherein said immobilized reagents comprise proteins, nucleic acids, or combinations thereof.

192. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, wherein said working electrode surface comprises surfaces defined by a plurality of fluid containment regions, said containment regions comprising a plurality of different reagents for conducting multiple measurements in one well.

193. The multi-well plate of claim 192, wherein the surfaces defined by said plurality of fluid containment regions comprise plurality of different reagents for conducting multiple assays in one well.

194. The multi-well plate of claim 192, wherein said plurality of fluid containment regions are defined by holes in one or more dielectric layers on said working electrode surface.

216. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-8, 18, 30, or 51, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises carbon.

217. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-8, 18, 30, or 51, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises a carbon layer on a silver layer.

218. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-8, 18, 30, or 51, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises carbon particles.

219. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-8, 18, 30, or 51, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises carbon fibrils or carbon black.

220. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-4, 18, 30, or 51, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises a metal.

221. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-4, 18, 30, or 51, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, or aluminum.

222. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-4, 18, 30, or 51, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises aluminum.

223. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3-8, 18, 30, or 51, wherein said counter conductive surface is located at the periphery of said wells.

224. The multi-well plate of claim 18 or 20, wherein said dielectric surface is substantially free of silicon and silicone.

225. The multi-well plate of claim 18 or 20, wherein said dielectric surface comprises liquids, gels, solids or particulate materials dispersed in a matrix.

226. The multi-well plate of claim 18 or 20, wherein said dielectric surface comprises polymers, photoresists, plastics, adhesives, gels, glasses, non-conducting inks, non-conducting pastes, ceramics, papers, elastomers, silicones, thermoplastics or combinations thereof.

227. The multi-well plate of claim 18 or 20, wherein said dielectric surface comprises dielectric ink, a polymeric film, a photoresist film, a ceramic, glass film or combinations thereof.

228. The multi-well plate of claim 18 or 20, wherein said dielectric surface comprises non-conductive plastic, glass or ceramic.

229. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 25, 30, 46, 51 or 62, further comprising a dielectric layer defining a plurality of fluid containment regions for confining fluids on said working electrode surface.

20. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein at least one well comprise a working electrode surface bounded by a dielectric surface.

21. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein at least one well comprises one or more working electrodes, at least one working electrode having one or more assay domains comprising immobilized reagents, said assay domains being defined by openings in one or more dielectric layers supported on said working electrodes.

22. A multi-well plate comprising a plate top having a plurality of rows of openings and a substrate having working electrode strips and counter electrode strips patterned thereon, wherein said plate top is affixed on said substrate thereby forming a plurality of rows of wells from said openings, wherein the bottom of each well comprises an exposed portion of at least one working electrode strip and two exposed edge portions of said counter electrode strips.

238. The multi-well plate of claim 22, 23, 53, 57, 58 or 66, wherein said plate top is sealed to said substrate using an adhesive.

239. The multi-well plate of claim 238, wherein said adhesive is substantially free of silicone.

240. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 53, 57, 58, 64, or 65, wherein said substrate comprises a plastic.

241. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 53, 57, 58, 64, or 65, wherein said substrate comprises metal particles incorporated into or on said plastic.

242. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 53, 57, 58, 64, or 65, wherein said substrate comprises carbon particles incorporated into or on said plastic.

243. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 53, 57, 58, 64, or 65, wherein said substrate comprises carbon fibrils incorporated into or on said plastic.

244. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 53, 57, 58, 64, or 65, wherein said substrate is substantially free of silicon and silicone.

245. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 53, 57, 58, 64, or 65, wherein said substrate comprises a porous material.

246. The multi-well plate of claim 245, wherein said porous material is a filter.

269. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 51-61 or 66, wherein said plate top is a non-conductive plastic.

270. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 51-61 or 66, wherein said plate top is white.

271. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 51-61 or 66, wherein said plate top is black.

272. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 51-61 or 66, wherein said plate top comprises wells having opaque walls.

273. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 51-61 or 66, wherein said plate top comprises 6-12 wt % whitener.

275. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 51-61 or 66, wherein said plate top comprises 6-12 wt % whitener selected from the group consisting of TiO₂, lead oxide, alumina and silica (SiO₂).

277. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 51-61 or 66, wherein said plate top is substantially free of silicon and silicone.

286. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 22, 23, 25 or 26, further comprising a stiffening support on the plate to reduce flexing or bending of the substrate.

288. The multi-well plate of claim 286, wherein said stiffening support comprises a non-conductive material and is attached to said substrate and comprises one or more openings allowing for electrical contact with said substrate.

23. A multi-well plate comprising a plate top having a plurality of rows of openings and a substrate having working electrode strips and counter electrode strips patterned thereon, wherein said plate top is affixed on said substrate thereby forming a plurality of well rows from said plurality of openings, said well rows being aligned with said working electrode strips and said counter electrode strips, wherein said well rows comprise:

(i) a first well comprising a first well bottom including a centered portion including an exposed portion of a first working electrode strip, a first edge portion including an exposed portion of a first counter electrode strip and a second edge portion including an exposed portion of a second counter electrode strip and (ii) at least a second well comprising a second well bottom including a second centered portion including an exposed portion of said first working electrode strip, a first edge portion including an exposed portion of said first counter electrode strip and a second edge portion including an exposed portion of said second counter electrode strip.

24. The multi-well plate of claim 23, wherein said well rows further comprise:

(i) a third well comprising a third well bottom including a centered portion including an exposed portion of a second working electrode strip, a first edge portion including an exposed portion of a third counter electrode strip and a second edge portion including an exposed portion of a fourth counter electrode strip and (ii) at least a fourth well comprising a fourth well bottom including a fourth centered portion including an exposed portion of said second working electrode strip, a first edge portion including an exposed portion of said third counter electrode strip and a second edge portion including an exposed portion of said fourth counter electrode strip.

25. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells and a substrate, said substrate having a first side and a second side, said substrate comprising a plurality of working electrode surfaces and a plurality of counter electrode surfaces on said first side and one or more conductive contacts on said second side, wherein two or more of said plurality of wells each comprise one or more working electrode surfaces and one or more counter electrode surfaces, wherein said substrate further comprises one or more conductive through-holes electrically connecting said one or more working electrode surfaces and said one or more counter electrode surfaces on said first side with said conductive contacts on said second side.

26. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells and a substrate, said substrate having a first side and a second side and said substrate comprising one or more electrode surfaces on said first side and one or more conductive contacts on said second side, wherein said one or more electrode surfaces are electrically connected to said one or more conductive contacts.

27. The multi-well plate of claim 26, wherein said first side is a top surface of said multi-well plate and said second side is a bottom surface of said multi-well plate.

28. The multi-well plate of claim 26, wherein said substrate further comprises one or more conductive through-holes electrically connecting said one or more working electrode surfaces on said first side with said one or more conductive contacts on said second side.

29. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells comprising an insulating substrate and a conductive substrate, wherein said conductive substrate is folded around said insulating substrate forming one or more electrode surfaces on a first side of said insulating substrate and one or more electrical contacts on a second side of said insulating substrate, said one or more electrical contacts being electrically connected to said one or more electrode surfaces.

30. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells comprising a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface adjacent a top surface of a substrate, wherein said substrate further comprises a bottom surface comprising a plurality of electrical contact locations positioned on said bottom surface between said plurality of wells.

31. A multi-well plate having an array of wells corresponding to a 96-well plate configuration, said array comprising one or more of the following:

a first sector having wells A1 through A4, B1 through B4, C1 through C4, and D1 through D4;

a second sector having wells A5 through A8, B5 through B8, C5 through C8, and D5 through D8;

a third sector having wells A9 through A12, B9 through B12, C9 through C12, and D9 through D12;

a fourth sector having wells E1 through E4, F1 through F4, G1 through G4, and H1 through H4;

a fifth sector having wells E5 through E8, F5 through F8, G5 through G8, and H5 through H8; and

a sixth sector having wells E9 through E12, F9 through F12, G9 through G12, and H9 through H12;

said multi-well plate having a plurality of electrodes on a top surface and a plurality of contact surfaces on a bottom surface, wherein said plurality of electrodes are electrically connected to said plurality of contact surfaces.

32. The multi-well plate of claim 31, wherein said plurality of contact surfaces are located between or adjacent said wells.

33. The multi-well plate of claim 31, wherein said plurality of electrodes comprise one or more working electrodes and one or more counter electrodes and said plurality of contact surfaces comprises one or more working contacts electrically connected to said one or more working electrodes and one or more counter contacts electrically connected to said one or more counter electrodes.

34. The multi-well plate of claim 31, wherein said contact surfaces are located at one or more of the following locations:

(i) two or more of first sector locations;

A1-B2;

A2-B3;

A3-B4;

C1-D2;

C2-D3;

C3-D4;

(ii) two or more of second sector locations;

A5-B6;

A6-B7;

A7-B8;

C5-D6;

C6-D7;

C7-D8;

(iii) two or more of third sector locations;

A9-B10;

A10-B11;

A11-B12;

C9-D10;

C10-D11;

C11-D12;

(iv) two or more of fourth sector locations;

E1-F2;

E2-F3;

E3-F4;

G1-H2;

G2-H3;

G3-H4;

(v) two or more of fifth sector locations;

E5-F6;

E6-F7;

E7-F8;

G5-H6;

G6-H7;

G7-H8; and

(vi) two or more of sixth sector locations;

E9-F10;

E10-F11;

E11-F12;

G9-H10;

G10-H11;

G11-H12.

35. The multi-well plate of claim 33,

(a) wherein said working contacts are located at one or more of the following locations:

(i) one or more of first sector locations;

A1-B2;

A3-B4;

C1-D2; and

C3-D4;

(ii) one or more of second sector locations;

A5-B6;

A7-B8;

C5-D6; and

C7-D8;

(iii) one or more of third sector locations;

A9-B10;

A11-B12;

C9-D10; and

C11-D12;

(iv) one or more of fourth sector locations;

E1-F2;

E3-F4;

G1-H2; and

G3-H4;

(v) one or more of fifth sector locations;

E5-F6;

E7-F8;

G5-H6; and

G7-H8; and

(vi) one or more of sixth sector locations;

E9-F10;

E11-F12;

G9-H10; and

G11-H12; and

(b) said counter contacts are located at one or more of the following locations;

(i) one or more of first sector locations;

A2-B3 and C2-D3;

(ii) one or more of second sector locations;

A6-B7 and C6-D7;

(iii) one or more of third sector locations;

A10-B11 and C10-D11;

(iv) one or more of fourth sector locations;

E2-F3 and G2-H3;

(v) one or more of fifth sector locations;

E6-F7 and G6-H7; and

(vi) one or more of sixth sector locations;

E10-F11 and G10-H11.

36. A multi-well plate having an array of wells corresponding to a 384-well plate configuration, said array comprising one or more of the following:

a first sector having wells A1 through A8, B1 through B8, C1 through C8, D1 through D8, E1 through E8, F1 through F8, G1 through G8, and H1 through H8;

a second sector having wells A9 through A16, B9 through B16, C9 through C16, D9 through D16, E9 through E16, F9 through F16, G9 through G16, and H9 through H16;

a third sector having wells A17 through A24, B17 through B24, C17 through C24, D17 through D24, E17 through E24, F17 through F24, G17 through G24, and H17 through H24;

a fourth sector having wells I1 through I8, J1 through J8, K1 through K8, L1 through L8, M1 through M8, N1 through N8, O1 through O8 and P1 through P8;

a fifth sector having wells I9 through I16, J9 through J16, K9 through K16, L9 through L16, M9 through M16, N9 through N16, O9 through O16 and P9 through P16; and

a sixth sector having wells I17 through I24, J17 through J24, K17 through K24, L17 through L24, M17 through M24, N17 through N24, O17 through O24 and P17 through P24;

said multi-well plate having a plurality of electrodes on a top surface and a plurality of contact surfaces on a bottom surface, wherein said plurality of electrodes are electrically connected to said plurality of contact surfaces.

37. The multi-well plate of claim 36, wherein said plurality of contact surfaces are located between or adjacent said wells.

38. The multi-well plate of claim 36, wherein said plurality of electrodes comprise one or more working electrodes and one or more counter electrodes and said plurality of contact surfaces comprises one or more working contacts electrically connected to said one or more working electrodes and one or more counter contacts electrically connected to said one or more counter electrodes.

39. The multi-well plate of claim 36, wherein said contact surfaces are located at one or more of the following locations:

(i) two or more of first sector locations;

B2-C3;

B4-C5;

B6-C7;

F2-G3;

F4-G5;

F6-G7;

(ii) two or more of second sector locations;

B10-C11;

B12-C13;

B14-C15;

F10-G11;

F12-G13;

F14-G15;

(iii) two or more of third sector locations;

B18-C19;

B20-C21;

B22-C23;

F18-G19;

F20-G21;

F22-G23;

(iv) two or more of fourth sector locations;

J2-K3;

J4-K5;

J6-K7;

N2-O3;

N4-O5;

N6-O7;

(v) two or more of fifth sector locations;

J10-K1;

J12-K13;

J14-K15;

N14-O11;

N12-O13;

N14-O15; and

(vi) two or more of sixth sector locations;

J18-K19;

J20-K21;

J22-K23;

N18-O19;

N20-O21;

N22-O23.

40. The multi-well plate of claim 38, wherein

(a) said working contacts are located at one or more of the following locations:

(i) one or more of first sector locations;

B2-C3;

B6-C7;

F2-G3; and

F6-G7;

(ii) one or more of second sector locations;

B10-C11;

B14-C15;

F10-G11; and

F14-G15;

(iii) one or more of third sector locations;

B18-C19;

B22-C23;

F18-G19; and

F22-G23;

(iv) one or more of fourth sector locations;

J2-K3;

J6-K7;

N2-O3; and

N6-O7;

(v) one or more of fifth sector locations;

J10-K11;

J14-K15;

N10-O11; and

N14-O15; and

(vi) one or more of sixth sector locations;

J18-K19;

J22-K23;

N18-O19; and

N22-O23; and

(b) said counter contacts are located at one or more of the following locations;

(i) one or more of first sector locations;

B4-C5 and F4-G5;

(ii) one or more of second sector locations;

B12-C13 and F12-G13;

(iii) one or more of third sector locations;

B20-C21 and F20-G21;

(iv) one or more of fourth sector locations;

J4-K5 and N4-O5;

(v) one or more of fifth sector locations;

J12-K13 and N12-O13; and

(vi) one or more of sixth sector locations;

J20-K21 and N20-O21.

41. An assay module comprising a substrate having an 2×

3 array of square sectors and having a plurality of electrodes on a top surface and a plurality of contact surfaces on a bottom surface, wherein said plurality of electrodes are electrically connected to said plurality of contact surfaces.

42. The assay module of claim 41, wherein said plurality of electrodes comprise one or more working electrodes and one or more counter electrodes and said plurality of contact surfaces comprises one or more working contacts electrically connected to said one or more working electrodes and one or more counter contacts electrically connected to said one or more counter electrodes.

43. The assay module of claim 41, wherein each sector comprises one or more electrical contacts located at one or more of the following locations (X, Y) measured (inches) from the top left corner of said substrate (right side up):

(i) two or more of first sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(0.743, 0.620), (1.097, 0.620), (1.451, 0.620), (0.743, 1.329), (1.097, 1.329), (1.451, 1.329);

(ii) two or more of second sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(2.161, 0.620), (2.515, 0.620), (2.869, 0.620), (2.161, 1.329), (2.515, 1.329), (2.869, 1.329);

(iii) two or more of third sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(3.579, 0.620), (3.933, 0.620), (4.287, 0.620), (3.579, 1.329), (3.933, 1.329), (4.287, 1.329);

(iv) two or more of fourth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(0.743, 2.038), (1.097, 2.038), (1.451, 2.038), (0.743, 2.747), (1.097, 2.747), (1.451, 2.747);

(v) two or more of fifth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(2.161, 2.038), (2.515, 2.038), (2.869, 2.038), (2.161, 2.747), (2.515, 2.747), (2.869, 2.747); and

(vi) two or more of sixth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(3.579, 2.038), (3.933, 2.038), (4.287, 2.038), (3.579, 2.747), (3.933, 2.747), (4.287, 2.747).

44. The assay module of claim 42, wherein

(a) said working contacts are located at one or more of the following locations:

(i) one or more of first sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(0.743, 0.620), (1.451, 0.620), (0.743, 1.329), and (1.451, 1.329);

(ii) one or more of second sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(2.161, 0.620), (2.869, 0.620), (2.161, 1.329), and (2.869, 1.329);

(iii) one or more of third sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(3.579, 0.620), (4.287, 0.620), (3.579, 1.329), and (4.287, 1.329);

(iv) one or more of fourth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(0.743, 2.038), (1.451, 2.038), (0.743, 2.747), and (1.451, 2.747);

(v) one or more of fifth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(2.161, 2.038), (2.869, 2.038), (2.161, 2.747), and (2.869, 2.747); and

(vi) one or more of sixth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(3.579, 2.038), (4.287, 2.038), (3.579, 2.747), and (4.287, 2.747); and

(b) said counter contacts are located at one or more of the following locations;

(i) one or more of first sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(1.097, 0.620) and (1.097, 1.329);

(ii) one or more of second sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(2.515, 0.620) and (2.515, 1.329);

(iii) one or more of third sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(3.933, 0.620) and (3.933, 1.329);

(iv) one or more of fourth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(1.097, 2.038) and (1.097, 2.747);

(v) one or more of fifth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(2.515, 2.038) and (2.515, 2.747); and

(vi) one or more of sixth sector locations (inches, ±

0.125″

);

(3.933, 2.038) and (3.933, 2.747).

45. The assay module of claim 41, wherein said assay module is a multi-well plate having a plurality of wells.

109. The assay module of any one of claims 41-45 or 73-91, wherein said assay module further has a plurality of wells.

110. The assay module of any one of claims 41-45 or 73-91, wherein said assay module further has one or more fluidic channels.

46. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein at least one well has a working electrode surface and a plurality of assay domains formed thereon.

47. The multi-well plate of claim 46, wherein at least two of said plurality of assay domains comprise different reagents.

48. The multi-well plate of claim 46, wherein said working electrode surface comprises at least four discrete assay domains formed thereon.

49. The multi-well plate of claim 46, wherein said assay domains are independently addressable.

50. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein two or more wells have a plurality working electrode surfaces and each working electrode surface has one or more assay domains formed thereon.

51. A multi-well plate comprising a plate top having a plurality of wells, wherein each of said plurality of wells includes a well bottom having a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein each well comprises a plastic well wall comprising from 4-20 wt % whitener.

52. A multi-well plate comprising:

(a) an electrically conductive layer;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings; and

(c) a plate top comprising an electrically conductive surface, said plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said electrically conductive layer and said plate top and said insulating layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming wells for conducting assays.

290. The multi-well plate of claims 52, 53, 54, or 55, wherein said plate top comprises a conductive metal coating formed thereon forming said electrically conductive surface.

291. The multi-well plate of claim 290, wherein said conductive metal coating is painted on said plate top.

292. The multi-well plate of claim 290, wherein said conductive metal coating is evaporated on said plate top.

293. The multi-well plate of claim 290, wherein said conductive metal coating is electroplated on said plate top.

294. The multi-well plate of claim 290, wherein said conductive metal coating comprises silver, Ag/Cl, nickel, copper, aluminum or combinations thereof.

295. The multi-well plate of claim 290, wherein said conductive metal coating is silver paint.

296. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 52-61, wherein said insulating layer comprises an adhesive dielectric film or an adhesive screen-printed dielectric.

297. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 52-61, wherein said insulating layer is substantially free of silicon or silicone.

298. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 52-61, wherein said insulating layer defines a plurality of fluid containment regions within each well for confining fluids on the bottom of said wells.

299. The multi-well plate of claim 298, wherein containment surfaces defined by said plurality of fluid containment regions comprise a plurality of different reagents for conducting multiple detections and/or measurements in an individual well.

300. The multi-well plate of claim 52 or 54, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a composite containing carbon particles in or on a matrix.

301. The multi-well plate of claim 300, wherein said carbon particles comprises carbon nanotubes, carbon fibrils, carbon black or combinations thereof.

302. The multi-well plate of claim 52 or 54, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises fibrils coated with a conductive material.

303. The multi-well plate of claim 52 or 54, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a carbon coating on a substrate.

304. A method of making the multi-well plate of claim 52 comprising:

(a) forming at least one conductive coating onto a substrate thereby forming said electrically conductive layer having one or more working electrodes;

(b) forming at least one insulating layer on said at least one conductive coating, said at least one insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings; and

(c) affixing a plate top having a plurality of plate top openings onto said insulating layer;

wherein said insulating layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned to form said plurality of wells.

305. The method of claim 304, wherein said at least one conductive coating further forms one or more counter electrodes.

306. The method of claim 304, wherein said plate top comprises one or more conductive surfaces forming one or more counter electrodes.

307. The method of claim 304, further comprising the step of applying one or more conductive surfaces onto said insulating layer forming one or more counter electrodes.

308. The method of claim 304, wherein said at least one conductive coating is applied by screen printing.

319. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 52-57, wherein said insulating layer comprises an adhesive dielectric film or an adhesive screen-printed dielectric.

321. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 52-57, wherein said insulating layer defines a plurality of fluid containment regions for confining fluids on the bottom of said wells.

322. The multi-well plate of claim 321, wherein containment surfaces defined by said plurality of fluid containment regions comprise a plurality of different reagents for conducting multiple detections and/or measurements in an individual well.

53. A multi-well plate comprising:

(a) a substrate surface having a plurality of electrodes patterned thereon;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings; and

(c) a plate top comprising an electrically conductive surface, said plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said substrate surface and said plate top and said insulating layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming plate openings over one or more of said plurality of electrodes thereby forming wells.

54. A multi-well plate comprising:

(a) an electrically conductive layer partitioned into two or more electrically isolated sectors;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings; and

(c) a plate top comprising an electrically conductive surface, said plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said electrically conductive layer and said plate top and said insulating layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming wells.

55. A multi-well plate comprising:

(a) an electrically conductive layer;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings; and

(c) a plate top comprising an electrically conductive surface partitioned into two or more electrically isolated sectors, said plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said electrically conductive layer and said plate top and said insulating layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming wells.

56. A multi-well plate comprising:

(a) a first electrically conductive layer;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings;

(c) a second electrically conductive layer on said insulating layer, said second electrically conductive layer having a plurality of second electrically conductive layer openings; and

(d) a plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said first electrically conductive layer and said plate top and wherein said insulating layer openings, said second electrically conductive layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming a plurality of wells.

203. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises carbon.

204. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises a carbon layer on a silver layer.

205. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises carbon particles.

206. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises carbon fibrils or carbon black.

207. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises carbon fibrils.

208. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer is located at the center of the well bottom.

209. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises one or more binding reagents immobilized thereon.

210. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises one or more assay domains.

211. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said assay domains comprise one or more immobilized reagents selected from:

antibodies, fragments of antibodies, proteins, enzymes, enzyme substrates, inhibitors, cofactors, antigens, haptens, lipoproteins, liposaccharides, cells, sub-cellular components, cell receptors, viruses, nucleic acids, antigens, lipids, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, peptides, amino acids, hormones, protein-binding ligands, pharmacological agents, luminescent labels or combinations thereof.

212. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56, 59, 60, or 61, wherein said immobilized reagents comprise proteins, nucleic acids, or combinations thereof.

309. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 60, wherein said first electrical conductive layer forms one or more working electrodes.

310. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 60, wherein said first electrically conductive layer is partitioned into one or more separately addressable sectors.

311. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 59-61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises a porous material.

312. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 59-61, wherein said first electrically conductive film comprises silver.

313. The multi-well plate any one of claims 56 or 59-61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises a carbon coating on a substrate.

314. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 59-61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer comprises a carbon ink on a substrate.

315. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 59-61, wherein said first electrically conductive layer is formed by applying a carbon ink on a substrate.

316. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 59-61, wherein said second electrical conductive layer forms one or more counter electrodes.

317. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 59-61, wherein said second electrically conductive film comprises silver.

318. The multi-well plate of any one of claims 56 or 59-61, wherein said second electrically conductive layer comprises a carbon ink on a substrate.

326. A method of making the multi-well plate of claim 56, comprising folding a layer comprising a counter electrode film and having openings around a conductive substrate.

327. The method of claim 326, wherein said conductive substrate is sectioned into one or more separately addressable sectors.

57. A multi-well plate comprising:

(a) a substrate comprising partitioned electrically conductive surfaces;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings;

(c) a second electrically conductive layer on said insulating layer, said second electrically conductive layer having a plurality of second electrically conductive layer openings; and

(d) a plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said substrate and said plate top and wherein said insulating layer openings, said second electrically conductive layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming wells.

213. The multi-well plate of claim 57 or 58, wherein said electrically conductive surfaces comprise carbon.

214. The multi-well plate of claim 57 or 58, wherein said electrically conductive surfaces comprise a carbon layer on a silver layer.

215. The multi-well plate of claim 57 or 58, wherein said electrically conductive surfaces comprise carbon particles.

58. A multi-well plate comprising:

(a) a substrate comprising one or more electrically conductive surfaces;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings;

(c) a partitioned second electrically conductive layer on said insulating layer having a plurality of second electrically conductive layer openings; and

(d) a plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said substrate and said plate top and wherein said layer openings, said partitioned second electrically conductive layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming wells.

59. A multi-well plate comprising:

(a) a first electrically conductive layer partitioned into two or more electrically isolated sectors;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings;

(c) a second electrically conductive layer on said insulating layer having a plurality of second electrically conductive layer openings; and

(d) a plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said first electrically conductive layer and said plate top and wherein said insulating layer openings, said second electrically conductive layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming wells and wherein said two or more electrically isolated sectors are aligned with said plate top openings thereby forming independently addressable sectors of jointly addressable wells.

320. The multi-well plate of claim 59, wherein said insulating layer comprises a first half having well openings and a second half having contact holes, wherein said insulating layer folds back and around said first electrically conductive layer so as to:

(i) provide a bottom contact surface to one or more counter electrodes on said first half of said insulating layer and (ii) provide said contact holes for electrical contact to said first electrically conductive layer.

323. A method of making the multi-well plate of claim 59, comprising:

(a) forming said insulating layer having insulating layer openings onto said first electrically conductive layer; and

(b) applying a conductive film having conductive film openings onto said insulating layer forming said second electrically conductive layer,

wherein said insulating layer openings and said conductive film openings are aligned.

324. The method of claim 323, further comprising applying a top plate having top plate openings onto said second electrically conductive layer such that said top plate openings, said insulating film openings and said conductive film openings are aligned.

60. A multi-well plate for conducting electrode induced luminescence assays comprising:

(a) a first electrically conductive layer;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings;

(c) a second electrically conductive layer on said insulating layer having a plurality of second electrically conductive layer openings, said conductive film being partitioned into two or more electrically isolated sectors; and

(d) a plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said first electrically conductive layer and plate top and wherein said insulating layer openings, said second electrically conductive layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming wells for conducting said electrode induced luminescence assays.

61. A multi-well plate for conducting electrode induced luminescence assays comprising:

(a) a first electrically conductive layer partitioned into two or more electrically isolated sectors;

(b) an insulating layer having a plurality of insulating layer openings;

(c) a second electrically conductive layer on said insulating layer having a plurality of second electrically conductive layer openings, said conductive film being partitioned into two or more electrically isolated sectors; and

(d) a plate top having a plurality of plate top openings;

wherein said insulating layer is between said first electrically conductive layer and plate top and wherein said insulating layer openings, said second electrically conductive layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned forming wells for conducting said electrode induced luminescence assays.

62. A multi-well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein two or more of said plurality of wells each comprise a working electrode surface formed by applying one or more layers of carbon onto a conductive layer comprising silver.

63. The multi-well plate of claim 62, wherein said one or more layers of carbon completely covers said conductive layer.

64. A multi-well plate bottom comprising:

(a) a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

(b) a plurality of patterned working electrodes on said top surface;

(c) a plurality of patterned counter electrodes on said top surface, each of said patterned counter electrodes being associated with corresponding patterned working electrodes; and

(d) two or more independently addressable sectors, each sector having two or more independently addressable contacts on said bottom surface, each of said contacts corresponding to one or more electrodes within wells within one of said sectors.

66. A multi-well plate comprising the plate bottom of claims 64 or 65, and a plate top affixed on said top surface of said plate bottom forming said multi-well plate.

65. A multi-well plate bottom comprising:

(a) a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

(b) a plurality of patterned working electrodes on said top surface;

(c) a plurality of patterned counter electrodes on said top surface, each of said patterned counter electrodes being associated with corresponding patterned working electrodes; and

(d) two or more independently addressable contact sectors on said bottom surface, each of said contact sectors corresponding to an electrode sector comprising one or more of said plurality of patterned working electrodes and one or more of said plurality of patterned counter electrodes on said top surface and including a plurality of conductive contact surfaces.

wherein said plurality of conductive contact surfaces include;

(i) a first conductive contact surface located within a first contact region, said first conductive contact surface being electrically connected to said one or more corresponding patterned working electrodes on said top surface; and

(ii) a second conductive contact surface located within a second contact region, said second conductive contact surface being electrically connected to said one or more corresponding patterned counter electrodes on said top surface;

wherein said first conductive contact surface and said second conductive contact surface are electrically isolated from each other.

67. A method of making the multi-well plate for use in luminescence assays comprising:

(a) forming at least one conductive layer having one or more electrodes;

(b) forming at least one dielectric layer onto said at least one conductive layer forming a plurality of dielectric layer openings thereon; and

(c) affixing a plate top having a plurality of plate top openings onto said dielectric layer;

wherein said dielectric layer openings and said plate top openings are aligned to form said plurality of wells.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein said at least one conductive layer further forms one or more working electrodes.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein said at least one conductive layer further forms one or more counter electrodes.

70. The method of claim 67, wherein said plate top comprises one or more conductive surfaces forming one or more counter electrodes.

71. The method of claim 67, further comprising the step of applying one or more conductive surfaces onto said dielectric layer forming one or more counter electrodes.

72. The method of claim 67, wherein said at least one conductive layer is applied by screen printing.

73. An assay module for conducting luminescence assays comprising a substrate, wherein said substrate comprises independently addressable sectors of jointly addressable electrodes patterned thereon.

74. An assay module comprising a substrate having one or more fluid channels for introducing samples and/or assay reagents and one or more working electrode surfaces and one or more counter electrode surfaces on said substrate, wherein said working electrode comprises a carbon ink.

75. An assay module comprising a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein said working electrode surface and said counter electrode surface comprise a printed conductive material.

76. An assay module comprising a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein said working electrode surface and said counter electrode surface comprise a conductive material applied in liquid form.

77. An assay module comprising a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein said working electrode surface comprises carbon and said counter electrode surface comprises a metal.

78. The assay module of claim 77, wherein said metal comprises aluminum, silver or nickel.

79. The assay module of claim 77, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises aluminum.

80. An assay module comprising a working electrode surface and a counter electrode surface, wherein said counter electrode surface comprises a metal on an adhesive layer.

81. The assay module of claim 80, wherein said metal comprises aluminum, silver or nickel.

82. The assay module of claim 80, wherein said metal comprises aluminum.

83. An assay module having one or more assay regions, said assay regions comprising one or more working electrode surfaces and one or more counter electrode surfaces, wherein the surface ratio of said one or more working electrode surfaces to said one or more counter electrode surfaces is at least 2 to 1.

84. An assay module comprising a printed working electrode surface and a plurality of assay domains formed thereon.

85. The assay module of claim 84, wherein at least two of said plurality of assay domains comprise different binding reagents.

86. An assay module comprising a working electrode surface formed by applying one or more layers of carbon onto a conductive layer comprising silver thereby forming said assay module.

87. The assay module of claim 86, wherein said one or more layers of carbon completely covers said conductive layer.

88. A method of making an assay module comprising patterning a metal-containing material onto a substrate forming a patterned conductive metal-containing surface on said substrate and subsequently applying a carbon-containing material onto said patterned conductive metal-containing surface forming a patterned electrode surface.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein said carbon-containing material covers said patterned conductive metal-containing surface.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising immobilizing one or more reagents onto said patterned electrode surface.

91. The method of claim 89, wherein said metal-containing material comprises silver.

96. A kit for use in conducting electrode induced luminescence assays comprising, in one or more containers, a multi-well assay plate and at least one assay component selected from the group consisting of:

(a) at least one luminescent label;

(b) at least one electrochemiluminescence coreactant;

(c) one or more binding reagents;

(d) a pH buffer;

(e) one or more blocking reagents;

(f) preservatives;

(g) stabilizing agents;

(h) enzymes;

(i) detergents; and

(j) desiccants.

97. The kit of claim 96, wherein at least one assay component is immobilized within said wells.

98. The kit of any one of claims 96 or 97, wherein at least one assay component is dried within said wells.

99. The kit of any one of claims 96-98, wherein said multi-well plate is adapted for use in conducting said electrode induced luminescence assays in sectors.

100. The kit of any one of claims 96-99, wherein said plurality of wells include at least two different bioreagents.

103. A kit for use in conducting electrode induced luminescence assays comprising a multi-well assay plate having a plurality of wells and at least one assay component selected from the group consisting of:

(a) at least one luminescent label;

(b) at least one electro-chemiluminescence coreactant;

(c) one or more binding reagents;

(d) a pH buffer;

(e) one or more blocking agents;

(f) preservatives;

(g) stabilizing agents;

(h) enzymes;

(i) detergents;

(j) standards and (k) desiccants.

104. The kit of claim 103, wherein at least one assay component is immobilized within said wells.

105. The kit of any one of claims 103-104, wherein at least one assay component is dried within said wells.

106. The kit of any one of claims 103-105, wherein said multi-well plate is adapted for use in conducting said electrode induced luminescence assays in sectors.

107. The kit of any one of claims 103-106, wherein said plurality of wells include at least two different bioreagents.

108. The kit of any one of claims 103-107, wherein all assay components are dried within said wells.