Low fluorescence assay platforms and related methods for drug discovery

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention is a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements, comprising a plurality of wells within a frame, wherein the multi-well platform has low fluorescence background. Another aspect of the present invention is a system for spectroscopic measurements, comprising reagents for an assay and a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements. A further aspect of the present invention is a method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a method from identifying a modulator of a biological process or target in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a composition identified by this method. A further aspect of the present invention is a method to identify a therapeutic. A further aspect of the present invention is a method of testing a therapeutic for therapeutic activity and toxicology by identifying a therapeutic using a method of the present invention and monitoring the toxicology and efficacy of the therapeutic in an in vivo model.

1  (canceled).  
     
     
         2 . A multi-well platform, comprising: 
 a) a plurality of wells, each well comprising: 
 i) a wall having less fluorescence than a polystyrene-wall of at least about 90 percent of said wall's thickness, and  
 ii) a bottom.  
   
     
     
         3 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  further comprising a frame and wherein said wells are disposed in said frame.  
     
     
         4 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said bottom has less fluorescence than a polystyrene-bottom of at least about 90 percent of said bottom's thickness.  
     
     
         5 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said bottom has a high transmittance and a thickness less than about 450 microns.  
     
     
         6 . The multi-well platform of  claim 5  wherein said bottom has less fluorescence than a polystyrene-bottom of at least about 90 percent of said bottom's thickness.  
     
     
         7 . The multi-well platform of  claim 6  wherein said bottom produces about 200 percent or less of the fluorescence compared to fused silica glass of 100 microns thickness throughout the following wavelength ranges: excitation wavelengths between about 300 to 400 nm and at emission wavelengths between about 300 to 800 nM.  
     
     
         8 . The multi-well platform of claim of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of wells comprises 864 or more wells.  
     
     
         9 . The multi-well platform of claim of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of wells comprises between 96 and 864 wells.  
     
     
         10 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said wall of each of said wells is formed of an opaque material.  
     
     
         11 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said wall of each of said wells is coated with an optically opaque material.  
     
     
         12 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said wall of each of said wells is formed of a cycloolefin material.  
     
     
         13 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said bottom is made of polystyrene.  
     
     
         14 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said wells have a depth of between 3 millimeters and 20 mm.  
     
     
         15 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said wells have a volume of 10 microliters or less.  
     
     
         16 . The multi-well platform of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of wells is formed by injection molding process.