Microplates recommendations
Highly compatible plates for HTRF®
The right plate for a successful assay
Microplates are an important element of FRET signal detection. While most available microplate brands are compatible with HTRF technology and products, a number of parameters are critical to the quality of results.
- FIA white plates from many suppliers remain the most appropriate standard. The signal to noise ratios obtained using white microplates do not differ greatly from those of black plates. Absolute counts, however, are significantly higher in
white plates, thereby improving count statistics and subsequent assay reproducibility and sensitivity. NOTE: The use of white plates is mandatory for some assays and highly recommended when detection is performed using certain instruments,
in particular on monochromator-based plate readers (Please refer to the package inserts). - Background levels may differ substantially among various plate types. Tissue-culture treated, or surface-treated plates may also be used.
- Glass bottom plates produce suboptimal results and should not be used.
All the benefits of HTRF with ELISA plate ease of use
Taking these considerations into account, Cisbio’s 96w low volume and PKI’s 96w & 384w microplates have been carefully designed to provide the best signal detection environment possible to all HTRF assays. They can be used in a no-transfer
protocol with suspension cells or with a transfer step for adherent cells. These plates can be read on all HTRF certified readers, thus making their implementation in
your experiments really easy
protocol with suspension cells or with a transfer step for adherent cells. These plates can be read on all HTRF certified readers, thus making their implementation in
your experiments really easy
| Provider | Format | Part Numbers | Recommended volume | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisbio | 96-w low volume | 6PL96005 – 66PL96025 – 66PL96100 | 20-30 µL | White |
| PerkinElmer | 96-w | 6005680 – 6005688 – 6005689 | 80-350 µL | White, TC-treated, Sterile |
| PerkinElmer | 384-w | 6007680 – 6007688 – 6007689 | 24-90 µL | White, TC-treated, Sterile |
| PerkinElmer | 384-w shallow well | 6008280 – 6008289 | 10-20 µL | White |
| PerkinElmer | 384-w | 6007290 – 6007299 | 24-90 µL | White |
Detection plates from providers not listed on this webpage may be compatible with HTRF. Contact your sales representative or application field scientist for more information about plate compatibility.
To prevent evaporation during assay incubation steps, we recommend the use of TopSeal-A PLUS, a clear adhesive seal for microplate.
Whatever the plate type, assay volume should match well volume as closely as possible so that focalization of the reader excitation beam gives maximum energy delivery (Fig. 1) . For instance, when assay volumes are equal to or lower than 20 µl,
it is better to use 384 low-volume or 1536-well plates rather than regular 384-well plates.
Whatever the plate type, assay volume should match well volume as closely as possible so that focalization of the reader excitation beam gives maximum energy delivery (Fig. 1) . For instance, when assay volumes are equal to or lower than 20 µl,
it is better to use 384 low-volume or 1536-well plates rather than regular 384-well plates.
Matching culture containers with signal detection formats
In case your experimental or culture conditions require you cultivate your cells in a specific flask or plate format prior to performing an assay, you can still benefit from an optimal reading by adapting the transfer step between culture
format and 96w or 384w reading plate.
This Technical Note will help you performing that transfer step as smoothly as possible.