Microplate Reader & Equipment Survey

Thank you for taking time to answer our survey questionnaire. This survey is for researchers currently using microplate equipment. We estimate that completing this survey will take you 11 minutes or less. We will be pleased to send you a chest of 30 Ferrero Rocher gourmet Italian chocolates, a mini Maglite 2-cell AAA flashlight, or a $5 gift card for Blockbuster Video. Be sure to select your choice near the bottom of the survey. Thanks for participating.

To begin, please enter the validation code from your invitation.

1. Do you currently use or have access to a microplate reader/counter?

Yes No (Sorry, but you must be currently working in this area. Please press the BACK button and stop now).

2. Please list the brands and models together with approximate purchase price and year acquired for all microplate readers and counters purchased in the past three years. (Please check all detection modes that apply, where A=absorbance, FI=fluorescence intensity FP=fluorescence polarization, TRF=time resolved fluorescence, L=luminescence, and R=radioisotopic).

Please list most recent first
Brand
Model
Year Acquired
Cost
Detection Mode(s)
A FI FP TRF L R
A FI FP TRF L R
A FI FP TRF L R
A FI FP TRF L R
A FI FP TRF L R

3. Why did you choose the most recent model of microplate reader/counter? (Please be specific).

4. Would you make that same decision again if you purchased another today?

Yes, same brand and model
No, same brand but different model - Model:
No, different brand and model - Brand: Model:
What is the reason for your answer above?

5. Please indicate the number of plates used on a monthly basis for the following methods.

Method
96-well/mo
384-well/mo
1536-well/mo
Absorbance
Fluorescence intensity
Fluorescence polarization
TRF/HTRF
Luminescence
Radioisotopic

6. Please indicate the number of plates used on a monthly basis for the following applications.

Application
plates/mo
Nucleic Acid/Protein Quantitation
Cytotoxicity/Proliferation
Enzyme Assays & Inhibitors
Microbial Growth
Endotoxin/LAL
ELISA/Other Absorbance
Reporter Gene Assays
Other

7. With respect to your most recent model of microplate reader, what percent of its usage is devoted to the following areas? (Please note, these should add up to 100%).

Area
Percent Usage
Research
High Throughput Screening
Assay Development
Quality Assurance
Other
Total
100%

8. Which of the following process steps have you automated? (Please check all that apply).

    pipetting    dispensing    washing    incubating    reading 

9. Does an automated transfer of microplates occur between any of these steps?

Yes No

10. If so, please identify the automated transfers by marking the appropriate check boxes below.

pipetting      dispensing       washing        incubating      reading
    |- - -  - - -|- - -  - - -|- - -  - - -|- - -  - - -|

11. What improvements or new features would you like to see in microplate readers, counters or related equipment?

12. From the alphabetic list of microplate reader/counter manufacturers, please mark the one you would rank highest in each area. (You may choose a manufacturer more than once).

Criteria
Manufacturer
a. Easiest to use
b. Highest versatility
c. Most reliable quality
d. Greatest innovator
e. Best value for money
f. Best field service
g. Most committed to microplate analysis

13. Are you planning to purchase a microplate reader/counter within the next 12 months?

Definitely Probably Might/might not Probably not Definitely not

14. If you are planning to purchase a new microplate reader, what detection mode(s) will it include?

dedicated absorbance
dedicated fluorescence
dedicated luminescence
multimode instrument with the following capabilities: (Select all modes below that will apply).

absorbance fluorescence intensity fluorescence polarization TRF/HTRF luminescence other:
Please explain:

15. If so, which instruments and manufacturers are you considering?

16. Please list the brands, and models together with approximate costs and year acquired for all microplate accessory instruments purchased in the past three years.

Please list most recent first
Brand
Model
Yr Acquired
Cost
Instrument Category

17. Please indicate below the scientific discipline in which you are involved. (Best SINGLE answer please).

biochemistry cell biology clinical chemistry endocrinology immunology medicine microbiology molecular biology neurosciences pharmacology physiology drug screening other:

18. How would you best describe your organization? (Best SINGLE answer, please).

biotech industry pharmaceutical industry other industry
academic/research institute government agency other:
Now, please let us know which FREE prize you prefer:

And tell us where to send it, or how to contact you, if necessary.

Name:                

Organization:     

Department:       

                  

                  

City, State, Zip:   

Telephone:        

E-mail:           


©1999 PhorTech International