Plate Load Assist: Utilizing Engineering to Simplify Laboratory Techniques
Start Date
August 2024
End Date
August 2024
Location
ALT 207
Abstract
Semiquantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is used to detect and quantify RNA to measure relative gene expression. qRT-PCR is often done on a 96-well plate because they allow analysis of multiple samples at once. Some volumes added to each well were as small as 1 µl, which is approximately 1/30 of a drop. Due to the nature of the numerous wells, the small volumes used in the experiment, and demand for accuracy of measurements, a human issue arose; not remembering if certain wells had been filled or not. This problem was rectified utilizing computer software to design and produce a physical tool through 3D printing. As this 3D printed tool was to be used in a laboratory setting, many important considerations went into the design process, such as maximizing sterility, while also producing something that is easy to use and effective. The design of the tool resembles a box without a top or bottom which fits around the 96-well plate. On one of the shorter sides, there are holes to fit PCR tubes, for ease of pipetting, and there is a slit near the top of the box for 14 sliders fit. Only 13 sliders should be in the slit when pipetting, exposing one column of wells at a time. Once a column is filled, the sliders can be pushed over to expose new wells, while also covering the wells just loaded. This tool can be used to help rectify a common accident in molecular biology labs.
Plate Load Assist: Utilizing Engineering to Simplify Laboratory Techniques
ALT 207
Semiquantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is used to detect and quantify RNA to measure relative gene expression. qRT-PCR is often done on a 96-well plate because they allow analysis of multiple samples at once. Some volumes added to each well were as small as 1 µl, which is approximately 1/30 of a drop. Due to the nature of the numerous wells, the small volumes used in the experiment, and demand for accuracy of measurements, a human issue arose; not remembering if certain wells had been filled or not. This problem was rectified utilizing computer software to design and produce a physical tool through 3D printing. As this 3D printed tool was to be used in a laboratory setting, many important considerations went into the design process, such as maximizing sterility, while also producing something that is easy to use and effective. The design of the tool resembles a box without a top or bottom which fits around the 96-well plate. On one of the shorter sides, there are holes to fit PCR tubes, for ease of pipetting, and there is a slit near the top of the box for 14 sliders fit. Only 13 sliders should be in the slit when pipetting, exposing one column of wells at a time. Once a column is filled, the sliders can be pushed over to expose new wells, while also covering the wells just loaded. This tool can be used to help rectify a common accident in molecular biology labs.
