µ-Slide 32 Well

Small-Volume Assay Development in a Microscopy Slide Format

The µ-Slide 32 Well is a chambered coverslip for developing, optimizing, and imaging 32 parallel cell-based assays on a single microscopy slide. Multiple experimental conditions, concentrations, staining parameters, and biological replicates can be tested while using only small numbers of cells and low reagent volumes.

The 32 wells are arranged according to the geometry of a standard 384 well format. This makes the µ-Slide 32 Well particularly useful for assay development and optimisation before scaling up to high-throughput workflows.

Seamless Transition to Multiwell Formats

Develop and optimize cell-based assays in a convenient microscopy slide format. The well geometry and volume facilitate the transfer of established protocols to 384 well microplates (e.g., the ibidi µ-Plate 384 Well or µ-Plate 384 Well Clear) for automated high-content and high-throughput workflows.

High-Resolution Microscopy of Immunofluorescence Staining

The ibidi µ-Slide 32 Well allows standard immunofluorescence protocols to be performed directly in the slide format. All steps: cell cultivation, fixation, staining, and imaging occur in the open well geometry. After staining, samples are imaged through the coverslip bottom using high-resolution microscopy.

High-Content Screening in a Slide Format

The µ-Slide 32 Well combines parallelisation with a large accessible imaging area, making it well suited for imaging-based assay development and high-content analysis. Using a 63× objective and a 100 µm × 100 µm field of view, up to 1225 fields of view can be acquired per well.

Cell Culture and Advanced Microscopy

Cells can be cultured and treated across 32 independent experimental conditions on a single microscopy slide for applications such as immunofluorescence imaging, transfection assays, compound treatments, antibody optimisation, and the comparison of biological replicates. Because the cells can remain in the same wells from cultivation over treatment, they can directly be imaged through the #1.5 ibidi Polymer Coverslip or #1.5H Glass Coverslip Bottom using brightfield microscopy, widefield fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy and many more. For techniques with particularly demanding optical requirements, such as TIRF and super-resolution microscopy, the #1.5H Glass Coverslip variant is recommended.

Technical Features

Precision, Quality, and Biocompatibility

• µ-Slide (chambered coverslip) with 32 independent wells
• #1.5 ibidi Polymer Coverslip or #1.5H Glass Coverslip bottom with excellent optical quality
• Individual well walls minimize well-to-well crosstalk and contamination
• Wells are sized and distributed like on a 384 Well plate, e.g., the ibidi µ-Plate 384 Well or µ-Plate 384 Well Clear
• Compatible with multichannel pipettes
• Compatible with staining and fixation solutions
• Compatible with immersion oil
• Made from non-cytotoxic, biocompatible materials
• Sterile with single packaging

Product Versions

• With #1.5 ibidi Polymer Coverslip (different surfaces available) or #1.5H Glass Coverslip bottom

How Does the µ-Slide 32 Well Work?

The µ-Slide 32 Well integrates 32 separate wells on a thin, high-performance #1.5 ibidi Polymer Coverslip or #1.5H Glass Coverslip bottom. The planar, transparent coverslip ensures excellent imaging performance and—together with the selected surface—supports defined, reproducible cell adhesion. The ibiTreat (tissue culture-treated) surface has been designed for optimal cell adhesion on the #1.5 ibidi Polymer Coverslip bottom. This modification provides ideal growth conditions for nearly all types of adherent cells, eliminating the need for additional coatings.

Frequently Asked Questions About the µ-Slide 32 Well

Why Is the Well Size of the µ-Slide 32 Well the Same as in a 384 Well Plate?

The well size, well-to-well distance, and working volume of the µ-Slide 32 Well are designed to match the dimensions of a high-throughput 384 well plate, such as the ibidi µ-Plate 384 Well or µ-Plate 384 Well Clear. This enables easy transfer of protocols and results from the µ-Slide 32 Well to a 384 Well screening platform without major protocol adaptations. 
In brief, it combines the well geometry of a 384 Well imaging plate with the handling convenience of a slide.

When Should I Choose the µ-Slide 32 Well or a 384 Well Plate?

Choose the µ-Slide 32 Well when you want to compare multiple experimental conditions while minimising cell and reagent consumption. The well geometry of the µ-Slide 32 Well matches a 384 well geometry, facilitating the transfer of established protocols to 384 well plates (e.g., the ibidi µ-Plate 384 Well or µ-Plate 384 Well Clear). Choose a 384 well plate for automated liquid handling, high-content imaging, and high-throughput screening.

Can I Use a Multichannel Pipette With the µ-Slide 32 Well?

Yes. The standard well positions in the µ-Slide 32 Well allow the use of multichannel pipettes.

How Does the µ-Slide 32 Well Simplify Assay Development?

The standard microscopy slide format of the µ-Slide 32 Well enables convenient handling and compatibility with common microscope stages and slide holders. Its low cell and reagent requirements help reduce sample consumption and costs during assay optimisation. Once established, the assay can be transferred directly to the µ-Plate 384 Well for automated high-throughput applications.

Does the µ-Slide 32 Well Reduce Reagent Consumption?

Yes. The 32-well format enables many conditions with low working volumes, helping to conserve antibodies, dyes, and media while maintaining high imaging quality.

Is the µ-Slide 32 Well Suitable for Live Cell Imaging?

Yes. The coverslip bottom delivers the optical quality required for long-term live cell imaging and time-lapse acquisition. For stable temperature, CO₂, and humidity, combine the slide with a Stage Top Incubator.