TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: HOW TO PERFORM THE

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TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER HOW TO PERFORM THE
MICROPLATE ASSAY, A MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC
TECHNIQUE Kelly D. Goodwin NOAA Atlantic
Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories
Example Microplates
OVERVIEW
A DNA hybridization assay in microtiter format
(the microplate assay) can be used to detect
problem organisms in coastal water samples.
Species-specific probes are immobilized onto the
surface of 96-well plates. The technique yields
rapid colorimetric results which can be accessed
by visual inspection or quantified by a
colorimetric plate reader. The assay can be
adapted to a variety of targets, including
bacteria and functional genes. The Cooperative
Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental
Technology (CICEET) arranged for a market
analysis to be performed on the technique. The
market analysis recommended knowledge transfer
targeting do-it-yourself end-users. The
recommendation suggested that end-users would be
capable of adapting the technology to suit their
purposes if given adequately detailed information
(e.g., more than can be obtained from a
publication). A web portal and instructional DVD
were established to facilitate knowledge
transfer.