Multi-through Hole Testing Plate for High Throughput Screening

Abstract

A method for holding samples for analysis and an apparatus thereof includes a testing plate with a pair of opposing surfaces and a plurality of holes. Each of the holes extends from one of the opposing surfaces to the other one of the opposing surfaces. The holes are arranged in groups, where each group has at least two rows and two columns of holes. The groups are arranged in sets, where each set has at least two rows and two columns of groups. To analyze samples, at least one of the opposing surfaces of the testing plate is immersed in a solution to be analyzed. A portion of the solution enters openings for each of the holes in the immersed opposing surface. Once the holes are filled with solution, the testing plate is removed and is held above a supporting surface. Surface tension holds the solution in each of the holes. The solution in one or more of the holes is then analyzed and the solution in one of these holes is identified for further study. The location of the identified solution is marked based upon its location within a particular set and group of holes.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A system, comprising:
 a substrate configured to hold a liquid sample, the substrate comprising:
 a first surface; 
 an opposing second surface; and 
 a plurality of through holes extending from the first surface to the second surface, the through holes being sized to provide sufficient surface tension to hold respective liquid samples; 
   a first plate comprising a bottom surface; and   a second plate comprising a top surface;   wherein the through holes are disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface;   wherein there is a space between the first surface of the substrate and the top surface;   wherein there is a space between the second surface of the substrate and the bottom surface.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27  further comprising a detector configured detect a change in a solution contained in at least one of through holes. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a light source configured to illuminate the at least one of the through holes to provide a signal that is detectable by the detector. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the detector and the light source are positioned on opposite sides of the substrate. 
     
     
         31 . A system, comprising:
 a substrate configured to hold a liquid sample, the substrate comprising:
 a first surface; 
 an opposing second surface; and 
 a plurality of through holes extending from the first surface to the second surface, the through holes being sized to provide sufficient surface tension to hold respective liquid samples; 
   a support configured to support the substrate; and   a space between the support and the plurality of through holes, such that the liquid samples are held by surface tension.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising
 a first plate comprising a bottom surface; and   a second plate comprising a top surface;   wherein the through holes are disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface;   wherein there is a space between the first surface of the substrate and the top surface;   wherein there is a space between the second surface of the substrate and the bottom surface.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31  further comprising a detector configured detect a change in a solution contained in at least one of through holes. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , further comprising a light source configured to illuminate the at least one of the through holes to provide a signal that is detectable by the detector. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the detector and the light source are positioned on opposite sides of the substrate. 
     
     
         36 . A method for analyzing one or more liquid samples, the method comprising:
 providing a testing assembly having a pair of opposing surfaces and a plurality of through holes, each of the through holes extending from one of the opposing surfaces to the other of the opposing surfaces;   at least partially filling the plurality of the through holes with respective liquid samples, wherein surface tension holds the respective liquid samples in the respective plurality of through holes; and   supporting the test assembly on a support such that the respective liquid samples are held by surface tension.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 providing a detector;   analyzing at least one of the liquid samples in at least one of the through holes using the detector.