How to do Improve Assay Efficiency Using Index Multiwell Plates

Multiwell plates are a plastic tray with a cluster of wells typically, 24, 48, 96, 384 wells. Each well in the cluster are arranged in a rows and columns. Each well is used to add a number of items such as cells, chemicals, or other reagents. These multiwell plates are very commonly used to culture cells, do chemical reactions such as ELISA or PCR and they are known as cell culture plates, ELISA plates, or PCR plates according to their use.

The multiwell plates are usually made of clear plastic. Since each well in the 96 well array has to be identifed in the 96 well plate, these plates are marked with a row of numbers on the top from 1-12 as a row and A – H in a column. The user will have to cross-reference each well using this guide. Since these markings are incorporated when the piece is molded, they are clear and not easy to visualize because of lack of contrast.  Some times this poses a challenge to identify wells at random when adding or retrieving samples to specific wells. Specially, if one is doing several dozen plate assays a day, this cross- referencing can cause stress, fatigue, and it is easy to make mistake. A mistake can ruins a day’s work, or loose results for an important test. There is a need in the market for multiwell plates where individual wells are clearly marked with a contrasting color, so it is easy for customers to identify each well individually. This makes it easy for adding or retrieving samples from individual wells without cross-referencing.

Index Multiwell Plates  are 96 well plates where each well’s address is clearly marked in alpha numeric lettering in contrasting color adjacent to the each well, hence there is o need for cross referencing, to identify a well. These easy to find markings make it easy for customers to identify each well with ease and make fewer mistakes. This will also reduce the strain if one has to use multiple plates a day.

The markings are printed on the top surface of the plate with contrasting color dye employing a unique printing technique.  The markings are very stable and do not wash away when washed with water or mild detergents.