Mj Research, Inc.

David E Titus

Bruce R Turner

A thin-well microplate and methods of manufacturing same are provided, wherein the thin-well microplate is conducive for use with automated equipment, such as robotic handling equipment, and in high temperature procedures, such as thermal cycling. The thin-well microplate is constructed of two components including a skirt and frame portion and a well and deck portion with a plurality of sample wells; both portions being joined to form a unitary microplate. Each of the skirt and frame and well and deck portions is constructed of a suitable material that imparts a specific combination of physical and material properties to the thin-well microplate. The skirt and frame portion and the well and deck portion are each constructed of the material that will allow each portion to withstand high temperature conditions and use of automated equipment, while retaining the physical characteristics each portion requires for optimal performance of the thin-well microplate. Such physical characteristics include, although not limited to, rigidity of the skirt and frame portion and thin-walled sample wells of the well and deck portion to permit optimal thermal transfer and biocompatibility. Methods of construction include forming the thin-well microplate as a unitary plate in a single, two-step process, wherein the skirt and frame portion is constructed of a suitable first material in a first step and the deck and frame portion is formed integral with the skirt and frame portion in a second step of a suitable second material. The unitary thin-well microplate plate is thereby formed of two materials for the required specific combination of physical and material properties. Another method of construction includes forming the unitary thin-well microplate in two separate manufacturing processes, wherein the skirt and frame portion is constructed of the first material in a first process and the deck and well portion constructed of the second material in a second process, and the skirt and frame portion and the well and deck portion are, thereafter, permanently joined by an adhesive system to form the unitary plate of the invention.

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Belmont, MA, United States of America

David E Titus