What Type Of 96-Well Plate Do I Need?
For those who are unfamiliar, 96 well plates are used in a variety of different applications. For example, they are frequently used during nucleic acid purification, plate replication, and compound preparation. However, it’s not always easy to choose the one that’s best for your situation.
Let’s take a look at what you should know about how to choose the best 96 well plate.
Plastic Vs Glass
There are two primary types of materials from which 96 well plates are made: plastic and glass.
Each one has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, so depending on what you’re using the plate for it should be selected accordingly.
For example, if you plan to use it in a PCR mix, then the main concern would be contamination. For storage purposes, the hardness of the material is probably more important.
There are a few key aspects to consider when deciding which material is the right choice:
-Plastic plates can be used at temperatures up to 80°C and tend to be less expensive than glass. However, they also have a higher rate of contamination. Additionally, some plastic plates contain bisphenol A (BPA), which is an endocrine disruptor that can leach into your samples.
-Glass plates are the optimal choice for the PCR process because they are impermeable to nucleic acids and DNA, but cannot withstand high temperatures (of course, this isn’t ideal if you’re planning to store them at -20°C). Glass plates have an excellent depth capacity, which makes them the perfect choice for compound preparations.
-Both plastic and glass 96 well plates can be used for cell culture applications. Keep in mind that each type of plate has its own specific surface area, which is important to consider when selecting a plate for cell culture.
What Application Are You Using the Plate For?
It’s essential that you consider what you plan on using the plate for. For example, are you performing acid purification?
If so, then contamination should be your main concern. Are you storing the plates at -20°C? Perhaps hardness will take precedence over other considerations.
It’s also important to consider 96 well plate volume under the circumstances. Improper sizing could prevent you from achieving the results you desire.
How Important Is Plate-to-Plate Uniformity?
If you are working with 96 well plates, then uniformity will be one of your main concerns. When purchasing plastic plates with a flat surface area, it’s important to select ones that have minimal variations in diameter.
You can check this by measuring how far apart each well is from the edge of the plate. In addition, it’s helpful to choose a brand that has a few reported defects as possible so that your plates will be uniform.
If you have uneven 96 well plate dimensions, this could cause issues later on. You can check out this resource to learn other useful tips you should keep in mind: www.chromtech.com
Choosing the Right 96 Well Plate Might Seem Difficult
In some cases, it may even seem overwhelming.
So, be sure that you keep the above guidelines in mind when making your decision. It could mean the difference between whether or not you choose the right 96 well plate for your situation.
You can check out the rest of our blog for other useful info.
