Multi-mode Microplate Reader

该申请是为了获得一个多模式酶标仪的资金，用于需要吸收、荧光或相关检测方法的高通量分析。酶标仪的独特之处在于：i）其自动化操作，包括集成的板堆叠器，用于短期或长期测定的自动化，ii）低样品量要求，以及iii）其操作的多种检测模式带来的灵活性。所要求的单位将取代一个过时的单位在2008年NSERC RTI的竞争。自动化酶标仪允许并行运行多个（多达1，536个）检测。在标准的1样品/比色皿光谱仪中需要7个月才能完成的实验（7个月x 200 hs/月= 1400 hs）可以在酶标仪中在不超过1小时内完成。微升体积范围和皮摩尔至微摩尔浓度范围内的小样本要求进一步使研究能够对稀有、难以分离或合成的分子/生物分子进行。最后，酶标仪的多种检测模式使申请人和用户在日常操作中可以使用多种技术。酶标仪检测模式包括：紫外-可见吸收、荧光强度、时间分辨荧光、荧光偏振、发光、多种形式的共振能量转移（FRET、TR-FRET、BRET）和光谱扫描。温度控制允许在环境温度和高达65ºC ± 0.5ºC之间操作酶标仪。酶标仪有两个内置分配器;从分配器进样后，可以轻松启动动力学实验。该装置还配备了环境CO2和O2控制，以进行细胞研究。集成板堆垛机形式的机器人进一步实现了短期和长期分析的自动化，使我们能够每周7天24小时运行该单元。酶标仪将位于麦吉尔大学化学系。酶标仪的专用对于申请人和三名共同申请人，他们的学生和PDF（39 HQP）推进NSERC相关计划至关重要。该仪器将由麦吉尔大学化学系的其他研究人员以及蒙特利尔自然和生命科学领域的同事组成的生物结构研究中心（CRBS）使用。该仪器支持药物发现，新型传感器和报告员，蛋白质-DNA相互作用的生物物理研究，纳米材料，生物传感器和新型疗法的开发等研究项目。

This request is for funds to acquire a multi-mode microplate reader for high throughput assays requiring absorption, fluorescence or related detection methods. Unique to a microplate reader are i) its automated operation including an integrated plate stacker for walk-away automation of short or long term assays, ii) low amounts of sample requirements, and iii) the flexibility arising from the multiple detection modes it operates with. The requested unit will replace an obsolete unit awarded in the 2008 NSERC RTI competition. The automated microplate reader allows multiple (up to 1,536) assays to be run in parallel. Experiments that would otherwise require seven months to be completed in a standard 1 sample/cuvette spectrometer (7 months x 200 hs/month = 1400 hs) can be done in no more than one hour in the microplate reader. The small sample requirements, which are in the microliter volume range and picomolar to micromolar concentration range further enable studies to be performed on rare, difficult to isolate or synthesize molecules/biomolecules. Finally, the multiple detection modes of the microplate reader give access to a number of techniques the applicant and users require in their everyday operation. The microplate reader detection modes include: UV-visible absorbance, fluorescence intensity, time-resolved fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, luminescence, resonance energy transfer in its many forms (FRET, TR-FRET, BRET), and spectral scanning. Temperature control permits operating the microplate reader between ambient and up to 65ºC ± 0.5ºC. The microplate reader has two built-in dispensers; kinetic experiments may be easily initiated following sample injection from the dispensers. The unit is additionally equipped with an environment CO2 and O2 control to conduct studies on cells. Robotics in the form of an integrated plate stacker further enable automation of short and long-term assays enabling us to run the unit 24h 7 days a week. The microplate reader will be physically located in the Department of Chemistry at McGill University. Dedicated use of the microplate reader is essential to advance NSERC related programs by the applicant and three co-applicants, their students and PDFs (39 HQP). The instrument is to be utilized by other researchers from McGill both in the Chemistry Department but also within the Centre de Recherche en Biologie Structurale (CRBS) that groups colleagues in the Natural and Life Sciences in Montreal. The instrument supports research programs in drug discovery, novel sensors and reporters, biophysical studies on protein-DNA interactions, nanomaterials, biosensors, and development of novel therapeutics.