Laboratory plates: which formats and features suit different applications?

Backbone of micro-volume workflows, laboratory plates (multiwell microplates) in the SBS standard power PCR, cell culture, ELISA, screening and high-density storage. Available with 6 to 1536 wells, they combine bottom geometries (U, V, flat), functionalised surfaces (TC-treated, high/low binding), targeted materials (optical-grade PS, chemical-resistant PP) and colour options (clear, black, white) to optimise signal and compatibility with plate readers. Lids, sealing films and deepwell plates extend applications from the bench to automation. Sterile, RNase/DNase-free or barcoded, they underpin robust, reproducible workflows.

What types of laboratory plates are there?

Depending on the application, choose plates with targeted properties. The cell culture plates (PS, TC-treated, 6–96 wells) promote adhesion and viability, with ventilated, anti-condensation lids. The immunology/ELISA plates (PS high-binding, flat bottom) maximise antigen capture; at readout, white boosts luminescence, black limits inter-well interference in fluorescence, and clear supports absorbance. The PCR plates (PP, thin walls, 96/384 wells, skirted/semi-skirted/non-skirted/low-profile) ensure efficient heat transfer and leak-tight sealing via heat-sealed films. The deepwell plates (PP, U/V bottoms, 1–2 mL per well) enable lysis, precipitation and high-RCF centrifugation, with sealing mats. The storage plates (PP, low binding, barcodes) secure libraries and sample collections. In crystallography, dedicated geometries (sitting/hanging drop) and impeccable optics facilitate crystal imaging. Key criteria: SBS footprint, well number/volume, material (PS/ PP), surface treatment (TC, high/low binding), bottom geometry, optical properties, sterility, compatibility with readers/thermocyclers/robots, options for sealing (lids, films, mats).

Type	Principle	Applications
Cell culture plate	TC-treated PS, flat bottom	Adherent/suspension cells, toxicology
ELISA plate	PS high-binding	Immunoassays, protein quantification
PCR plate	Thin-wall PP	PCR/qPCR 96/384, genomics
Deep-well plate	PP, U/V bottoms, high volume	Extraction, precipitation, storage
Storage plate	Low-binding PP	Sample libraries, screening
Crystallisation plate	Sitting/hanging drop	Crystal growth and imaging

In which fields are laboratory plates used?

• Life sciences: cell culture, cytotoxicity, live-cell imaging, cytokine ELISAs, phenotypic screening.
• Molecular biology: PCR/qPCR, libraries, normalisation.
• Pharmaceutical: HTS, ADME/DMPK, stability, counter-screens in 96/384/1536-well formats.
• Food & feed: mycotoxin ELISAs, allergens, microbiology.
• Environmental: enzymatic assays, bioassays, pollutant ELISAs.
• Cosmetics: skin tolerance, phototoxicity, 3D spheroids (low-attachment).
• Chemistry/bioprocess: parallel reactions, condition optimisation, deepwell for mini-fermentations.
Compatible with SBS-format robots, multimode readers and thermal cyclers, they combine high throughput, traceability (barcodes) and reproducibility.

The different types of laboratory plates available

Frequently asked questions about lab plates

PS or PP: how to choose?
The PS provides excellent optical clarity (ELISA, cell culture), while PP withstands solvents and temperature extremes (PCR, deep-well, storage). Decide based on chemistry and readout.

96 or 384 wells?
96 wells = flexibility and comfortable volumes; 384 wells = higher throughput and reduced reagent use. Ensure compatibility with pipettes/plate readers and the required analytical sensitivity.

Black, white or clear plates?
Black for fluorescence (low background/crosstalk), white for luminescence (high reflectivity), clear for absorbance/imaging. Choose to match your detection mode.

Is my PCR plate compatible with the thermocycler?
Check the skirted / semi-skirted / unskirted format, well height and pitch, materials (PP thin-wall) and the cycler/block manufacturer’s recommendations.

Sterility and reprocessing: what to check?
Sterile (gamma, EtO) = ready to use. PP often tolerates autoclaving; PS does not. Verify RNase/DNase-free claims and suitability for decontamination.

Which surface for cell culture?
TC-treated for adherent cells; low-attachment surfaces for spheroids. Specific coatings (collagen, poly-D-lysine) can enhance adhesion.

How to seal a plate effectively?
Use adhesive or heat-sealable films, silicone mats for deep-well plates, or vented lids. Select according to temperature, solvents and readout.