Development of Multiple-Well Plate Biological Assays

This chapter focuses on the application of multiple-well plate technology to biological assays for neuroactive or other agents. It does not attempt to address specific cell types, culture systems, or individual assays for neurotoxicity, neural cell differentiation, or other applications of neuronal cells in culture. These topics are far too broad. Other chapters in this book provide that information. Rather, this chapter provides points to consider in developing the bioassay of interest in the multiple-well plate format. It highlights many of the issues that must be addressed both to reduce the size of the individual cultures and to use end point assays, which can readily be instrument-scored. The term “end point assay” refers to the specific method used to measure the induced change in the cells. Multiple-well plates of 96 or more wells per plate are not new, nor are the bioassays based on them. However, the physical dimensions of the wells, the need for uniformity among wells, and the frequent focus on spectrophotometric or fluorometric end points require special attention in the experimental design.