Nuclear Structure and Function Research Group

    Microtiter plates are essentially arrays of miniature test tubes; individual chambers with solid plastic walls typically hold a few micro-liters.
    Much smaller volumes can be contained in arrays of chambers (GRIDs) with fluid walls (Soitu C et al, 2018, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 115, E5926-E5933).
    GRIDs are made with biocompatible materials. This movie (runs in real time) shows some worms grown for days in a GRID. Aqueous liquids in each chambers are confined by walls/ceilings made of an immiscible liquid, so walls/ceilings are not solid. Therefore, one might think these walls/ceilings are fragile, but they are strong enough to withstand the thrashing of the worms.