Devices, systems, and methods for targeted plating of materials in high-throughput culture plates

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for facilitating placement of cells and materials in culture plates configured for high-throughput applications are provided. A culture system is provided with a culture plate having a lid for guiding placement of cells and materials in each individual culture well of a culture plate. The lid may provide for coupling to an electrophysiology culture plate comprising a biosensor plate and a biologic culture plate, where the biosensor plate underlies and is coupled to the culture well plate such that each biosensor is operatively coupled to one culture well of the plurality of culture wells. A containment device that physically influences the positioning of fluid received in the culture plate is also provided herein.

1 . A system for targeted placement of materials via a pipette, comprising:
 a culture plate comprising a plurality of wells; and   a lid shaped to removably couple to the culture plate and comprising a plurality of extrusions,   wherein at least one of the extrusions extends into at least one of the wells, and   wherein the at least one of the extrusions is shaped to accept the pipette and direct contents of the pipette into the at least one of the well.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the culture plate comprises a biologic culture plate and a biosensor array. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the biosensor array comprises a biosensor and a reference sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the culture plate comprises a containment feature configured to assist in placement of materials on the biosensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the extrusions comprises a collar configured to prevent a portion of the pipette from extending beyond the collar. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the collar is configured to prevent a pipette tip from protruding more than a predetermined amount beyond a distal end of the at least one of the extrusions during placement of materials via the pipette. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the culture plate comprises a biologic culture plate and a biosensor array, and wherein the collar is configured to maintain a predetermined distance between a pipette tip and the biosensor array during placement of materials via the pipette. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the extrusions is one of a frustoconical, cylindrical, and pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a friction-fit feature, and wherein the friction-fit feature is configured to secure the lid on the culture plate. 
     
     
         10 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the extrusions is configured to guide the pipette to a precise location on the culture plate. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the extrusions is configured to direct the contents of the pipette into an area of interest within the at least one of the wells. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the contents of the pipette comprise a cellular suspension. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the biosensor array is a microelectrode array (MEA). 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one of the extrusions is configured to direct the contents of the pipette into an area of interest within the at least one of the wells, and wherein the area of interest is the biosensor array. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the area of interest within the at least one of the wells is the biosensor but not the reference sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the containment feature is located such that it physically influences the positioning of the contents of the pipette onto the culture plate. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the friction-fit feature is further configured to flex when in contact with the culture plate. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the friction-fit feature is further configured to ensure precise spotting of the contents of the pipette onto the culture plate.