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Hi,

I can only comment on plasic bottom plates. We have been using COSTAR
plates (by Corning) for our microscopy based system for several years
now and it works fine for our cell and model organism work. Their
special optics plates have black, opaque walls, and ultra thin, clear
bottoms for improved optical performance in fluorescent-based assays. We
use these plates (mainly 96 well and 384 ) with short working distance
and high NA objectives (40x 0.75 NA and 63x 0.8 NA) for low-light
fluorescence in combination with itensified cameras. They have a bottom
which is flat enough to allow the use of these short working distance
lenses and still run the system at high speed (about 100 plates per
day). Their price allows us to run high-volume assays at a reasonable
price, but if the price per plate is not an issue there probably are
more options possible such as glass bottom plates.

An alternative for the COSTAR plates is Greiner, but I myself don't have
enough experience with their plates.

Note: I have no comercial interest in any assay plate provider and my
message here is based on my own (limited) experience.

Best regards,

Peter Van Osta

Union Biometrica N.V./S.A.
European Scientific Operations (ESO)
Cipalstraat 3
B-2440 Geel
Belgium
Tel.: +32 (0)14 570 619
Fax.: +32 (0)14 570 621

http://www.unionbio.com/

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pvosta/cvwww.htm

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Date:    Wed, 9 Apr 2003 11:37:25 -0400
From:    Sarah Locknar <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: plastic on inverted scope

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Hi-
I have a couple of users who want to image cells grown in plastic
microwell plates on an inverted scope.  Of course, the plastic is too
thick to image through, but when I suggested that they grow them on
glass coverslips they replied that the cells don't stick as well and
grow differently on similarly coated glass.  Is it possible to buy
microwell plates with thinner plastic bottoms, and where would I buy
such a thing?  In previous postings I got the feeling that the only
available ones had glass coverslip bottoms.  Also, would the images
suffer greatly when imaging through plastic versus glass?  Would a
better option be to just get a longer-working distance lens?
Thanks in advance-
Sarah

------------------------------------------------------------
Sarah Locknar, Ph.D.
Director, Neuroscience COBRE Imaging/Physiology Core
University of Vermont
802-656-0413
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