Cozart^® Microplate EIA

Q: Can I use forensic blood samples and what about preservatives?
A: The kits work well with both ante-mortem and post-mortem blood samples. A wide range of preservatives such as Fluoride; Oxalate; EDTA and Heparin have been tested and shown not to interfere.

Q: Wouldn't this effect the detection limit?
A: No. The microplate kits are inherently more sensitive than conventional methods (such as GC-MS). A typical 1 in 5 dilution of sample in water would not compromise the detection limit of the test.

Q: Can they be used in hair testing?
A: Yes. The microplate kits offer an easy method for screening hair extracts.

Q: Can the kits be automated?
A: Yes. The assays are easily automated and there are instruments that offer total automation. You simply load on samples (which can be bar-coded) and reagents and the instrument does the rest. Our Technical Services Department would be glad to advise on instrumentation suitable to your application.

Q: Do I have to run a full plate?
A: No. The plate is made from 12 strips of 8 wells, each held vertically in a plastic frame allowing individual strips to be used. If needed, individual wells can be snapped off and used allowing for complete flexibility.

Q: Can I run different drug strips in the same run?
A: Yes. The majority of kits employ the same incubation times and all kits have the same substrate, wash buffer and stop solutions.

Q: Can I use whole blood samples without extraction?
A: Yes. The sensitivity of the microplate kits allows for a simple pre-dilution in water. No organic solvent extraction is required.

Q: What about fluids other than blood?
A: Many other bodily fluids such as urine, saliva, stomach contents, faeces, ocular fluid and tissue homogenates have been successfully tested. Indeed samples of wine and beer have also been evaluated. Our Technical Services Department would be glad to advise for a particular application.

Q: Do I need specialised equipment?
A: No. The kits are designed to work with standardised laboratory 96 well plate readers and washers. The only requirement is a 450nm filter for the reader. Shaking and heated incubators are not required.

Q: What additional reagents are needed?
A: Distilled or deionised water is the only extra item required to prepare the wash buffer. All other components are contained in the kit with the exception of some of the specialised kits that we offer.