SUBSTRATE FOR HOLDING AN ARRAY OF EXPERIMENTAL SAMPLES

摘要

A substrate (1) for holding an array of experimental samples, particularly biological samples, is provided. The substrate has a plurality of wells (4) for holding respective experimental samples, wherein the bottom of each well (4) is at one of a plurality of levels. The bottoms of nearest neighbour wells (4) are at different levels, and there may several different levels of well bottoms across the entire substrate (1). Interference between samples in nearest-neighbour wells (4) can be reduced or eliminated. Both high and low density arrays of wells can be provided. Uses of the substrate include expression analysis, proteomics, metabolome screening, antigen testing, SNP analysis, microELISA, toxicity testing or live cell array analysis. The size and configuration of the substrate (1) can be chosen depending on the desired application.