摘要 |
<p>A bead (10) holding a chemical compound is situated in a well (12) of a micro-titre plate (14). A liquid (22) is introduced into well (12) and the chemical compound is released into the liquid. The liquid (22) and the chemical compound may be removed from the well (12) by bringing a capillary membrane (26) into contact with the well (12). Liquid (22) is drawn into the capillary membrane (26) via capillary action. Membrane (26) has areas of hydrophobicity (30) defined thereon so that the liquid (22) and the compound are drawn into predefined areas of the membrane (26). The membrane (26) can be dried and rehydrated at a later date in order to screen the compounds for activity, or it may form the base of an array of wells of a further micro-titre plate. Screening for compounds of interest may then take place either on the sheet, or with the sheet forming the base of the further micro-titre plate.</p> |