High resolution systems, kits, apparatus, and methods using magnetic beads for high throughput microbiology applications

A method of transferring material from a first microfabricated device comprising an upper surface including a first array of microwells to a second microfabricated device comprising an upper surface including a second array of microwells, the method comprising:

• preparing the first microfabricated device such that at least one microwell of the first array of microwells includes a material of interest and at least one magnetic bead;
• positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device such that the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device is aligned with at least one microwell of the second array of microwells of the second microfabricated device, wherein positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device comprises positioning the upper surface of the second microfabricated device opposing the upper surface of the first microfabricated device;
• and
• applying a magnetic field so as to move the at least one magnetic bead contained in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells into the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells, whereby at least a portion of the material of interest in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells is transferred to the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells.

A method of transferring material from a first microfabricated device including a first array of microwells, at least one microwell of which comprises at least one magnetic bead, to a second microfabricated device including a second array of microwells, the method comprising:

• providing a material of interest into the at least one microwell which comprises the at least one magnetic bead;
• positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device such that the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device is aligned with at least one microwell of the second array of microwells of the second microfabricated device;
• and
• applying a magnetic field so as to move the at least one magnetic bead contained in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells into the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells, whereby at least a portion of the material of interest in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells is transferred to the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells.