Microplates and methods for manufacturing microplates. The microplate is designed to allow UV radiation to pass through the bottom wells of the microplate so that the microplate can be used for assaying samples by use of UV absorbance. In one embodiment, the microplate comprises at least first and second wells, each well having a UV permeable bottom. In another embodiment, the microplate comprises a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion contiguous with the upper portion and a sheet disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion and defining the bottom of at least one well of the microplate. One embodiment of the method includes steps of inserting a sheet of UV permeable material into a mold cavity that includes sections shaped to form the sidewalls of the plurality of wells, injecting molten plastic material into the mold cavity, and cooling the plastic material to form the microplate with the plastic material forming the sidewalls of each of the first and second wells and the sheet of UV permeable material forming the bottom of each of the first and second wells. Another embodiment of the method includes providing an upper plate defining sidewalls of at least one well, adhering an intermediate layer to the upper plate and adhering a sheet of UV permeable material to the intermediate layer. A further embodiment of the method includes inserting a sheet of material having at least one hole into a mold cavity, injecting a molten plastic material into the mold cavity and cooling the plastic material to form a microplate.