Technical terms of any field can be a little hard to understand for people from outside the field. But don’t you worry, before we get onto the complicated part, you will learn the basic technical terms. Let’s start with molecular biology. It is a branch of biology in which you study the biological phenomenon at molecular levels. For example, the study of proteins and nucleic acids, as these carry out the necessary biological processes for a living being to survive.
To study biology at molecular levels, many tests and practical study takes place. For these, different instruments and apparatus are used. Many such apparatus and instruments are specifically made for molecular biology. One of such instruments is assay plates. Any molecular biologist will be aware of it.
What are Assay Plates?
You will come across these in all scientific research facilities and diagnostic labs. These are flat plates made as such that there are several “wells” in the plate. It can also be considered as many test tubes combined in one plate, however, smaller than the usual test tube size. Their use is normaly for the inspection of enzyme-linked immunosorbents. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) is a technique that is plate-based; ELISA plates. This technique is used for the quantification and detection of biological substances such as hormones, peptides, proteins, and etc. Testing of such substances is currently the most core diagnostic testing of both, animals and humans. (sciences, 2021)
What does the word “Assay” Mean?
Assay means analysis of an object or substance to know about its components. This word is used in replacement of tests or analysis as a verb. As you can see, it’s more of a technical term. That is why the most you will come across “assay” will be in chemistry and biology.
When an assay takes place, it should give results on what substances are present along with their quantities. For example, an assay would be a blood test carried out to know about the number of antibodies. Determining the components of a drug can also be considered as an assay.
What are Plate-Based Assays?
Just like there are different tests, there are different kinds of assays as well. You will come across the plate-based assays in experimental biology. Plate-based assays examine a cell’s situation after a cell has been through certain changes. These changes could be any treatment or manipulation in the structure of the cell.
Plate-based assays are well known in research organizations and academic facilities. This includes the pharmaceutical and biotechnological institutes. The reason for use of plate-based assays in such areas is its applications. Plant-based assays range from use in quality control, manufacturing to drug discovery. All these assays are through the sterile cell culture microplates.
More Insight on Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
This is one of the assay techniques through which peptides, hormones, antibodies, and etc can be detected. Through ELISA, the antigen is immobilized over a solid surface. After it, the antigen is complexed with an antibody that is linked with the enzyme. ELISA plate is used in the detection of a substance that is prepared when the conjugated enzyme is incubated with a substrate. The conjugated enzyme is also analyzed this way. The use of sterile microplate is very significant during this detection. This is because there should not be any disturbance between the interaction of antibodies and antigen.
Tips for Best Assays Result
For your result to be accurate and precise, choose the right tools and assay. An important tool for any assay is assay plates and the selection of this tool depends on your assay. For example, if you want your subject to be visible from all directions then transparent assay plates will be perfect. For such reasons, there are two kinds of assay plates; opaque, and transparent.
Best Assay Plates in Today’s World
In this world of technology, medical science is using high -throughput applications. For these applications, the 96 well assay plates are the most preferred. Compound library screening format fits well this kind of assay plate.
Future research and developments are directed towards creating a more efficient way to analyze assays quickly and with precision.
References
sciences, P. (2021). New to our Assay Plates range: Sterile and Individually Packed PP and PS Microplates. Porvair Sciences.
