Multi-through hole testing plate for high throughput screening

• US 6,027,873 A
• Filed: 03/19/1999
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Genencor International Incorporated (International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lui, Amy Deming, Schellenberger, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): Leary, Louise N.
• Application Number:
  US09/272,122
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• Field of Search: 435/4, 435/283.1, 435/29, 435/30, 422/50, 422/68.1
• US Class Current: 435/4
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00286 Reactor vessels with top and bottom openings
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00317 Microwell devices, i.e. having large numbers of wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00319 the blocks being mounted in stacked arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0052 in the shape of elongated tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00524 in the shape of fiber bundles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00662 Two-dimensional arrays within two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00707 separated from the reactor apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50857 using arrays or bundles of open capillaries for holding samples
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00237 Handling microquantities of analyte, e.g. microvalves, capillary networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices

Abstract

A method for holding samples for analysis and an apparatus thereof includes a testing plate with a pair of opposing surfaces and a plurality of holes. Each of the holes extends from one of the opposing surfaces to the other one of the opposing surfaces. The holes are arranged in groups, where each group has at least two rows and two columns of holes. The groups are arranged in sets, where each set has at least two rows and two columns of groups. To analyze samples, at least one of the opposing surfaces of the testing plate is immersed in a solution to be analyzed. A portion of the solution enters openings for each of the holes in the immersed opposing surface. Once the holes are filled with solution, the testing plate is removed and is held above a supporting surface. Surface tension holds the solution in each of the holes. The solution in one or more of the holes is then analyzed and the solution in one of these holes is identified for further study. The location of the identified solution is marked based upon its location within a particular set and group of holes.

Claims

1. A method for holding solution, the method comprising:

providing a testing plate with a pair of opposing surfaces and a plurality of holes, each of the holes extending from one of the opposing surfaces to the other one of the opposing surfaces;

immersing at least one of the opposing surfaces of the testing plate in the solution, wherein a portion of the solution enters openings for each of the holes in the immersed opposing surface;

removing the testing plate from the solution, wherein surface tension holds some of the solution in each of the holes; and

supporting the opposing surfaces of the testing plate above a supporting surface.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the holes is sized to hold a plurality of cells in the portion of the solution being held by surface tension.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the holes in the testing plate are arranged in groups, each of the groups comprises at least two rows and two columns of holes.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 further comprising identifying the location of at least one of the holes based on the group in which the hole is located.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 further comprising identifying a row and a column in the group for the identified hole.

6. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the groups of holes on the testing plate are arranged in sets, each of the sets comprising at least two rows and two columns of groups.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 further comprising identifying the location of the hole based on the set in which the hole is located.

31. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising analyzing the solution being held in at least one of the holes.

8. A method for identifying the location of at least one sample of a solution, the method comprising:

providing a testing plate with a pair of opposing surfaces and a plurality of holes, each of the holes extending from one of the opposing surfaces to the other one of the opposing surfaces, wherein the holes are arranged in groups, each of the groups comprising at least two rows and two columns of holes and wherein the solution is located in at least some of the holes;

identifying the solution in at least one hole and

locating the identified hole based upon the group in which the hole is located.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 further comprising identifying a row and a column in the group for the identified hole.

10. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the groups of holes on the testing plate are arranged in sets, each of the sets comprising at least two rows and two columns of groups of holes.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10 further comprising identifying the location of the hole based on the set in which the hole is located.

16. The plate as set forth in claim 9 wherein the holes are arranged in groups on the substrate, each of the groups comprises at least two rows and two columns of holes.

17. The plate as set forth in claim 16 wherein the groups are arranged in sets, each of the sets including at least two rows and two columns of groups.

18. The plate as set forth in claim 17 wherein a first distance between the sets is different than a second distance between the groups, is different than a third distance between the holes in each of the rows, and is different than a fourth distance between the holes in each of the columns.

19. The plate as set forth in claim 18 wherein the third and fourth distances are substantially the same.

12. A plate for holding samples of a solution with cells for analysis, the plate comprising:

a platform having a pair of opposing surfaces; and

a plurality of holes in the platform, each of the holes extending from an opening in one of the opposing surfaces in the platform to an opening in the other one of the opposing surfaces and each of the holes being sized to hold a plurality of the cells;

wherein a portion of at least one of the opposing surfaces where the holes are located is recessed so that the openings in the platform are spaced in from the opposing surface.

13. The plate as set forth in claim 12 wherein a portion of the other opposing surface where the holes are located is recessed.

14. The plate as set forth in claim 12 wherein a portion of the other opposing surface where the holes are located is protruding.

15. The plate as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of the holes is sized to hold a plurality of cells in the portion of the solution being held by surface tension.

20. An apparatus for holding samples for analysis comprising:

a plate with a pair of opposing surfaces; and

a plurality of holes in the plate, each of the holes extending from one of the opposing surfaces to the other one of the opposing surfaces;

wherein the holes are arranged in groups on the plate, each of the groups comprising at least two rows and two columns of holes.

21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein the groups are arranged in sets, each of the sets including at least two rows and two columns of groups.

22. The apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein a first distance between the sets is different than a second distance between the groups, is different than a third distance between the holes in each of the rows, and is different than a fourth distance between the holes in each of the columns.

23. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein the third and fourth distances are substantially the same.

24. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein a portion of at least one of the opposing surfaces where the holes are located is recessed so that the openings in the testing plate are spaced in from the opposing surface.

25. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein each of the holes is sized to hold a plurality of the cells which are suspended in the solution.

26. The apparatus as set forth in claim 25 wherein each of the holes holds between about 0.1 microliters and 10 microliters of the solution.

27. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 further comprising a handle connected to the testing plate.

28. A method for analyzing a solution, the method comprising:

preparing the solution of the sample for screening;

providing a testing plate with a pair of opposing surfaces and a plurality of holes, each of the holes extending from one of the opposing surfaces to the other one of the opposing surfaces;

immersing at least one of the opposing surfaces of the testing plate in a solution, wherein a portion of the solution enters openings for each of the holes in the immersed opposing surface;

removing the testing plate from the solution, wherein surface tension holds some of the solution in each of the holes; and

analyzing the solution in one or more of the holes.

29. The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein the step of analyzing is an optical analysis of the solution in one or more of the holes.

30. The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein the step of analyzing is a non-optical analysis of the solution in one or more of the holes.