Challenges and solutions to ultra-high-throughput screening assay miniaturization: submicroliter fluid handling.

The miniaturization of HTS assays is an important objective in the pharmaceutical industry. The ability to perform primary screening assays in high-density micro-well plates at volumes of 1-2 ml will accelerate the early stages of drug discovery and reduce costs. Ultra-HTS (uHTS) assays require an accurate and reliable means of fluid handling in the submicroliter volume range. This relates to the design of instrumentation for dispensing fluids, as well as assay plates. Fluid handling has been a major obstacle to the full implementation of miniaturized assays. This report focusses on current approaches to submicroliter fluid handling in high-density multi-well plates.