There are so many 96-well plate formats out there that it can be difficult to know which one to choose for your ELISpot and FluoroSpot needs. Learn more about the specific plate types and solutions we offer below.
Pre-coated plates
In studies that span over months or when sample availability is unpredictable, manual coating plates can be a significant bottleneck. Our solution? Pre-coated ELISpot and FluoroSpot plates. These ready-to-use options not only streamline your workflow but also enhance consistency across assays by minimizing variability. With our precision robotics handling the antibody coating, you're free to focus on other critical aspects of your research. For added convenience, several of our ELISpot kits include pre-coated MSIP strip plates.
Read about our kit formats on the these pages on ELISpot and FluoroSpot.
Coat yourself
If you'd rather choose the specific plate for your assay, you can also coat the capture antibodies yourself. ELISpot and FluoroSpot 96-well plates are available from several manufacturers, but the most commonly used are from Millipore. While we strongly recommend plates equipped with a PVDF membrane, plates with nitrocellulose membranes can also be used but may yield less consistent results.
MSIP for ELISpot
MSIP plates have a plastic underdrain attached to the bottom surface and are available in both clear (MSIPS4510) or white formats (MSIPS4W10). The two colors will give a slightly different appearance in the ELISpot readers, but this will not affect the results.
EtOH activation of MSIP plates: 35% EtOH 20 µl per well (maximum 1 minute incubation).
MAIPSWU10 for ELISpot
MAIPSWU10 plates, also called ELIIP, come in a white format. Instead of an underdrain, the plate is placed in a detachable tray. During the washing steps, the plate can be taken out of the tray. Care has to be taken to avoid liquid on the backside membrane and in the tray, as this can cause membrane leakage. However, when handled correctly, the MAIPSWU10 is robust and easy to work with.
EtOH activation of MAIPSWU10: 70% EtOH 50 µl per well (maximum 2 minutes incubation).
IPFL for FluoroSpot
To avoid problems with autofluorescence, Millipore has developed a FluoroSpot plate equipped with a low-fluorescent PVDF membrane. IPFL are produced as clear plates since the white color is less suitable for fluorescent reading. Apart from the membrane, this plate has the same configuration and characteristics as the MSIPS45 plate and also requires ethanol activation. These plates are included in all of our FluoroSpot kits.
EtOH activation of IPFL plates: 35% EtOH 20 µl per well (maximum 1 minute incubation).
Check out our plate-handling tutorials!