A User-Customizable Modular Microplate Holder
Unmet Need
Globally, laboratory accessories had an estimated market value of $504.7 million in 2020. Microplates and accessories represent 16% of this global market, which totals to $80.7 million. Manufacturers sell a variety of microplates in various well sizes and shapes that are used for molecular assays and cell culture experiments. Microplate holders are accessories that can improve user comfort and experimental accuracy. Additionally, regular microplates often feature manually drawn well demarcations with felt tip markers on their top surface. Use of these markers can cause debris to contaminate experimental setups or clog machines relying on fluidics. Therefore, there is a need for a versatile microplate holder that is compatible with potentially sensitive microplates, allows for riskless well demarcation, and enhances safety while using potentially infectious materials. For example, Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) microplates are specific plates designed for electrochemiluminescence assays. Because of the sensitive electrodes at the bottom of each MSD plate and the plate dimensions, extra care must be taken with the plates and standard microplate holders do not adequately secure MSD plates. Given the sensitivity, high cost of each MSD plate, and frequent use with biological and other potentially infectious samples, careful handling of each plate is essential. Unlike other microplate holders currently on the market, the materials used in the construction of this modular holder will not readily degrade over time with common disinfectants, such as ethanol.
Technology
Duke inventors have developed a convenient-to-use, secure, and modular microplate holder. This is intended to be used during academic or industry laboratory experiments, such as molecular assays and cell culture experiments that require the careful handling of microwell plates and their contents. Specifically, the modular plate holder allows users to adjust the angle of the platform via a one-handed locking mechanism. Inventors have created modular adapters that allow users to accommodate and secure various plate types and experimental setups. These adapters include generic pronged holders for 12-well, 24-well, 48-well, or 96-well microplates with accompanying paper templates, whiteboard wells for well demarcations, and an adapter used to securely hold MSD plates. This has been demonstrated with the development of 3D models using computer-aided design software and the development of 3D printed prototypes.
Other Applications
This technology could also be developed to accommodate microscopy slides, reagent reservoirs, magnets for magnetic purification assays, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strip tubes, and 96 well PCR plates.
Advantages
- Simple and convenient to use.
- Can be configured to fit the individual needs of the operator.
- Securely holds microplates during use.
- Increased safety with chemicals and Biological Safety Level 2+ work.
- Enhances efficiency through simplified template creation/well demarcation.
- Only microplate holder to securely hold microplates (including MSD microplates).
- Materials used in microplate holder construction withstand common disinfectants over time.