Are opaque walled plates used directly for seeding, or is the end product aliquoted into the opaque walled plates to record luminescence? Is there a particular wavelength or setting for measuring luminescence?
For performing a cell viability assay using the CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay from Promega, selecting the appropriate plate is crucial. This assay measures ATP levels as an indicator of cell viability, and the final readout is luminescent signal intensity. Therefore, the choice of the plate should optimize luminescence sensitivity and minimize background noise.
Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Plate
For optimal results, use white-walled plates with either a clear or opaque bottom. Below are the detailed recommendations:
1. Well Format (Plate Type)
96-well plate: The most commonly used format, suitable for standard assays with low-to-medium sample throughput.
384-well plate: Recommended for high-throughput screening (HTS), reducing reagent and sample volume requirements.
2. Plate Color and Its Impact on Luminescence
White-walled plate (Best Choice):Strongly recommended as it reflects light and enhances signal intensity. Provides higher sensitivity and reduces background noise compared to black or clear plates.
Black-walled plate:Not recommended for luminescence assays, as it absorbs light and weakens the signal.
Clear-walled plate:Suitable for fluorescence or absorbance-based assays, but not ideal for luminescence because it allows light scatter, reducing accuracy.
3. Plate Material
Polystyrene or Polypropylene: Standard material for most cell culture plates, suitable for this assay.
Tissue Culture (TC)-treated plates:Use if working with adherent cells, as these plates promote better cell attachment. Not necessary for suspension cells, as they do not require surface adherence.
Final Recommendation
For the best results when using CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay, use: ✅ 96-well or 384-well plates, depending on assay throughput ✅ White-walled plates (clear or opaque bottom) for maximum luminescence sensitivity ✅ TC-treated plates for adherent cells ✅ Standard polystyrene plates
Using the right plate enhances the accuracy and sensitivity of your assay while minimizing signal loss. 🔬