Traditional Wash Steps are replaced by Simple Flush of Optimiser™ Microchannels The microchannel at the base of each well only holds ~5 μl of reagent. The small dimensions and low volume capacity of the microchannel can be leveraged to remove cumbersome wash steps within the assay. For instance, after primary antibody binding in conventional plates, a wash step is required. In Optimiser™, when the capture antibody reagent is loaded, it fills the channel and a slight excess volume is drawn out by the capillary pad. The remaining volume is trapped by capillary forces in the microchannel. With Optimiser™, plate “washing” is replaced by a simple pipetting step to add 5 μl of wash buffer to the well. When the wash buffer (any second liquid) is added, the capillary barrier at the microchannel inlet is broken and the pad draws out the capture antibody reagent. Owing to the small cross-section of the channel, there is minimal mixing between the two reagents and the wash buffer effectively “flushes” out the capture antibody reagent. This makes Optimiser™ operations very easy and automation friendly (no wash station)!

Optimiser™ microchannels have a 10x higher binding efficiency compared to wells of conventional plates. Rate of Primary Antibody Absorption in Optimiser™ Microchannels Rapid binding kinetics eliminates the need for protracted incubations to efficiently coat primary antibody or for the need to purchase pre-coated plates. The incredible binding efficiency in Optimiser™ plates is driven by a 50x increase in surface area to volume ratio as compared to a conventional microplate well. Diffusion distances are also dramatically compressed as the microchannel has a 200 micron by 200 micron working dimension. Overall binding surface of is increased by 50%.

Detection of Human IL-4

Achieve Femtogram Level Sensitivity without Compromising Sample Volume or Time Optimiser™ Microplates Allow Scientists to Achieve Femtogram Level Sensitivity Using Standard ELISA Protocols and Reagents