Overcoming technical challenges of automating small volume assays in open well format for high throughput drug discovery

Abstract

The nature of drug discovery creates a demand for instrumentation and experimental protocols for assays with reaction volume of 10 μl or less in high throughput format. These assays require liquid handling equipment that is capable of unattended processing of large batches of plates without a compromise in terms of dispensed volume, flow rate and positioning. In addition, the small assay reaction volumes lead to a significant problem with the reagents evaporation that is magnified by the need for multiple plate processing. To address the evaporation problem, a protective oil layer can be used. This technique allows an open well format and a possibility for adding reagents when performing multi‐step assay protocols. Performance of such assays depends greatly on correct dispensing profiles and rapid penetration of the added reagents through this protective oil layer. In this report we present the study of our MAP‐D liquid handling workstation for performing low‐volume end‐point and kinetics assays in high throughput format. The use of this workstation increases reliability and improved Z‐factor for assays utilizing a protective oil layer.