Virtual wells for use in high throughput screening assays

A method of adding fluid to a plurality of virtual wells comprising:

• a) providing a plate or lid containing a plurality of virtual wells to which said fluid is to be added;
• b) moving said plate or lid into close proximity to a fluid reservoir so that fluid is added to said plurality of virtual wells of said plate or lid from said reservoir;
• and
• c) shaking said plate or lid.

A method of screening using a microtiter-like plate having a top and bottom comprising:

• a) adding a series of reagents to a plurality of virtual wells in a microtiter-like plate;
• b) adding a spatially defined array of compounds to the plurality of virtual wells before or after (a);
• c) moving said top into close proximity with said bottom so that column-like fluid wells are formed between said bottom and said top, or fluid is transferred, or components are captured;
• d) incubating the reagents and compound;
• and
• e) reading a diagnostic signal from the virtual wells.

A method of screening to identify a compound capable of modulating a preselected biological activity exhibited by cells comprising:

• (a) providing cells in the virtual wells of a microtiter-like plate, said microtiter-like plate comprising a top and bottom, and a sidewall or spacer that vary in height so that the distance between said bottom and said top is determined by the height of said sidewall or spacer;
• (b) exposing the cells to a compound or collection of compounds suspected of being capable of modulating the preselected biological activity to be exhibited by the cells;
• and
• (c) determining whether the preselected biological activity has been modulated.

A method of high throughput screening to identify a substance capable of binding to or modulating the activity of a protein or nucleic acid comprising:

• (a) providing on a first plate or lid said protein or said nucleic acid, in solution, in membranes, or in cells, in virtual wells;
• (b) exposing said protein or said nucleic acid to a substance suspected of being capable of binding to or modulating the activity of said protein or said nucleic acid by moving a second plate or lid in close proximity with said first plate or lid, said second plate or lid having said substance disposed thereon;
• and
• (c) determining whether said substance modulates the activity of said protein or said nucleic acid.