Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and systems for detecting steroids. Examples of such steroids include estrogen, progesterone, androgen, testosterone, and derivatives and analogs thereof. Systems useful for carrying out the method include tripartite constructs including a DNA-binding domain, a ligand binding domain, and an activation domain. The present invention provides numerous improvements over previous diagnostic systems for detection of steroids, such advantages include that the method allows for detection of steroid analogs and derivatives, whose structures may not yet be known, the method is generally applicable to a wide variety of organisms, and numerous ligand binding domains may be used in conjunction with the present system.

Abstract: An enhanced microplate and retention device for selectively retaining tube inserts within the microplate. A dynamic microplate having a selectable number of interchangeable microwells.

Abstract: An enhanced microplate can include a base having a footprint with a length of 5 127.76 mm±1 mm and a width of 85.48 mm±1 mm. The base can be configured for an array of microwells having a base being configured for an array of micro wells such that there are ax rows along the width and ?bx? columns along the length, where a is 8 or 9, b is 12, 13 or 14 provided that when b is 12, a is 9, and x is 0.5 or a positive integer. These enhanced microplates can be used to effectively increase throughput, decrease analysis time, and can be readily integrated into existing systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and systems for detecting steroids. Examples of such steroids include estrogen, progesterone, androgen, testosterone, and derivatives and analogs thereof. Systems useful for carrying out the method include tripartite constructs including a DNA-binding domain, a ligand binding domain, and an activation domain. The present invention provides numerous improvements over previous diagnostic systems for detection of steroids, such advantages include that the method allows for detection of steroid analogs and derivatives, whose structures may not yet be known, the method is generally applicable to a wide variety of organisms, and numerous ligand binding domains may be used in conjunction with the present system.