Introduction
Mixing of solutions in 384-well microplates is a challenging, yet highly important task for many laboratories and assays. Effective mixing is of particular importance for volume verification using the MVS Multichannel Verification System where two dyes must be completely mixed before photometric measurements are made. The absorbance values of the mixed solutions are subsequently used to calculate the sample volume dispensed from each tip of a liquid handler under test on a well-by-well basis in a microplate. For the photometric-based volume verification method used by the MVS, proper sample mixing is paramount and without it, the verification method may not be useful in monitoring a liquid handler’s performance. For instance, without proper mixing the performance for the liquid handler under test could be misinterpreted, specially when dispensing into 384-well or higher density plate formats, where the mixing step becomes even more critical and challenging. Therefore, an effective mixer must be used with the MVS to ensure that the two dyes are completely mixed in every well of the microplate before any absorbance measurements are collected and volume calculations are performed. The Q-Instruments Bioshake 3000 was tested for mixing effectiveness using the following procedure to determine feasibility for inclusion with the MVS.
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