A simple technique for reducing edge effect in cell-based assays.
Several factors are known to increase the noise and variability of cell-based assays used for high-throughput screening. In particular, edge effects can result in an unacceptably high plate rejection rate in screening runs. In an effort to minimize these variations, the authors analyzed a number of factors that could contribute to edge effects in cell-based assays. They found that pre-incubation of newly seeded plates in ambient conditions (air at room temperature) resulted in even distribution of the cells in each well. In contrast, when newly seeded plates were placed directly in the CO(2) incubator, an uneven distribution of cells occurred in wells around the plate periphery, resulting in increased edge effect. Here, the authors show that the simple, inexpensive approach of incubating newly seeded plates at room temperature before placing them in a 37 degrees C CO(2) incubator yields a significant reduction in edge effect.
Lundholt
Betina Kerstin
BK
BioImage A/S, Moerkhoej Bygade 28, DK-2860 Soeborg, Denmark. betina.lundholt@bioimage.com
Scudder
Kurt M
KM
Pagliaro
Len
L
D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D005840:Gentian Violet / Q000378:metabolism; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015739:Nocodazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D000077191:Wortmannin
D000730:Androstadienes; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D003571:Cytochalasin B; C010192:9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine; D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D005840:Gentian Violet; D000225:Adenine; D015739:Nocodazole; D000077191:Wortmannin