Nonspecific adsorption of proteins to microplates

When a solution of purified adenovirus hexon proteins was diluted in polystyrene microplates without carrier proteins in the diluent, a higher rate of hexon adsorption to the microplates at higher dilutions took place. Addition of gelatin (0.01%), bovine serum albumin (0.01%), or calf serum (0.2%, vol/vol) to the diluent effectively prevented this adsorption. The adsorption to the microplates of adenovirions and measles virions was also prevented by the carrier proteins in the diluent. Certain additional features which distinguish the microtechnique of Takatsy from conventional macromethods are also discussed.