Miniaturisation of synthesis and screening in nanotiterplates: the concept of NanoSynTest^TM

Abstract

The NanoSynTest^TM-system combines screening and synthesis in a highly integrated fashion. The central feature of the experimental system are nanotiterplates with a density of 100 wells/cm² and a volume of roughly 0.1 μl each. The wells are equipped with a microsieve membrane for removal of liquids. Substance transfer of liquids and beads for solid phase synthesis is performed in the nl range with special adapted dispensers and sorting wafers. Thus the successfully performed adaptation of such tools to automated synthesis and screening workstations leads to experiments in synthesis, single bead analysis of synthesis products (IR spectroscopy, HPL-chromatography of single beads) and the fluometry of biological substances in nanotiterplates. These proof of principle experiments open up the way to a completely new and modular design of an integrated synthesis and screening facility based on nano- and microtechnology.