Reference microplates and methods for making and using the reference microplates

Abstract

A reference microplate is described herein which can be used to help calibrate and troubleshoot an optical interrogation system. In one embodiment, the reference microplate has a frame with an array of wells each of which contains an optical biosensor and each optical biosensor is at least partially coated with a substance (e.g., elastomer, optical epoxy). In another embodiment, the reference microplate in addition to having its optical biosensors at least partially covered with a substance (e.g., elastomer, optical epoxy) also has a controllable heating device attached thereto which is used to heat the optical biosensors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are two diagrams that illustrate a reference microplate in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary optical interrogation system which can be used to interrogate the reference microplate shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIGS. 3-6 are diagrams/graphs that illustrate the results of experiments which were conducted to test the reference microplate shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are two diagrams that illustrate a reference microplate in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a graph that illustrates the results of an experiment which was conducted to test the reference microplate shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a preferred method for using the reference microplates shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A microplate, comprising: an upper plate which forms sidewalls for a plurality of wells;a lower plate, attached to said upper plate, which forms bottom surfaces for the plurality of wells;wherein each well has a biosensor located therein; andwherein each well has a substance which at least partially coats each biosensor, said substance has a refractive index magnitude which is approximately 1.33.

2. The microplate of claim 1, wherein said substance has a refractive index magnitude within a range of 1.27-1.5.

3. The microplate of claim 1, wherein said substance is an elastomer.

4. The microplate of claim 1, wherein said substance is an optical epoxy.

5. The microplate of claim 1, further comprising a controllable heating device, attached to said lower plate, which heats said biosensors.

6. The microplate of claim 5, wherein said controllable heating device includes: a thermocouple;a thermistor; anda heat sink.

7. A method for making a reference microplate, said method comprising the step of: placing a substance on top of a plurality of biosensors located within a plurality of wells of a microplate, wherein said substance has a refractive index magnitude similar to that of water.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said substance has a refractive index magnitude within a range of 1.27-1.5.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said substance is an elastomer.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said substance is an optical epoxy.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of attaching a controllable heating device to the microplate.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said controllable heating device includes: a thermocouple;a thermistor; anda heat sink.

13. A method for using a reference microplate, said method comprising the steps of: placing the reference microplate within an optical interrogation system, wherein said reference microplate includes: a frame with a plurality of wells, wherein each well has a biosensor located therein, and wherein each well has a substance which at least partially coats each biosensor, said substance has a refractive index magnitude similar to that of water; andinterrogating at least one of the biosensors within the reference microplate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said substance has a refractive index magnitude within a range of 1.27-1.5.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said substance is an elastomer.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said substance is an optical epoxy.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of controlling a temperature of the biosensors by using a controllable heating device attached to said reference microplate.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said controllable heating device includes: a thermocouple;a thermistor; anda heat sink.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of using one or more resonance wavelengths obtained from said interrogating step to calibrate said optical interrogation system.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of using one or more resonance wavelengths obtained from said interrogating step to troubleshoot said optical interrogation system.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of using one or more resonance wavelengths obtained from said interrogating step to check an optical alignment of said optical interrogation system.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of using one or more resonance wavelengths obtained from said interrogating step to check a position of said reference microplate within said optical interrogation system.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of using one or more resonance wavelengths obtained from said interrogating step to determine how small of a wavelength shift can be measured by said optical interrogation system.

24. A microplate comprising a plurality of wells, wherein each well has a biosensor located therein, wherein each well has a substance which at least partially coats each biosensor, and wherein said substance has a refractive index magnitude which is approximately 1.33.

25. The microplate of claim 24, wherein said substance has a refractive index magnitude within a range of 1.27-1.5.

26. The microplate of claim 24, wherein said substance is an elastomer or an optical epoxy.

27. The microplate of claim 24, further comprising a controllable heating device.