Microplate Readers and Reader Accessories
Microplate readers are a type of spectrophotometer designed specifically for analyzing multiple samples in multi-well plates.
The readers detect light signals that result from biological, chemical, biochemical, or physical reactions. The signals are produced by, converted by, or transmitted through the samples and are measured by a detector. The detectors are usually photomultiplier tubes (PMT), which convert the released photons into electricity. The current is quantified by the reader’s software to produce the numerical result.
In some cases, samples are first excited by exposure to light of specific wavelengths. Filters or monochromators are used to select or restrict the wavelengths needed for emission or detection.
Single-mode microplate readers commonly measure absorbance, fluorescence, or luminescence. Multi-mode plate readers may measure absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence with options for fluorescence polarization (FP). They may also include lasers for time-resolved fluorescence (TRF), TR-FRET, Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assays (ALPHA), and cell imaging.
Features may include:
- Monochromator- or filter-based wavelength selection
- Visible only or UV/Vis spectrum, fluorescence, and luminescence
- Multiple photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) for simultaneous assays
- Temperature and CO2/O2controls
- Modular design for adding functionality
Microplate readers are used for high-throughput screening (HTS), biomarker assays, nucleic acid and protein quantification, kinetics, ELISA assays, homogeneous time resolved fluorescence (HTRF) for measuring cytokines, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), and other techniques.
Molecular Devices Automated Cell Imaging System, Digital Confocal 2D, 6-384-Well
The ImageXpress Pico Advanced is a compact benchtop automated cell imaging system that provides fluorescence and brightfield imaging with on-the-fly digital confocal deconvolution and integrated analysis for 6-384 well assays and live-cell experiments.
- Automated fluorescence and brightfield imaging with digital confocal 2D deconvolution.
- 6-position automated turret with user-exchangeable high-NA air objectives.
- Supports 6-384-well microplates, slides, and 35 mm dishes.
- Autofocus, live preview, z-stack acquisition, and robotic plate handler compatibility.
- Includes icon-driven acquisition and analysis software with preconfigured assay templates.
- Optional environmental control for temperature, CO2, O2, and humidity for live-cell work.
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Polarization Filter, 590 nm, 20 nm, Vertical
Molecular Devices fluorescence polarization filter designed for fluorescence polarization assays in compatible microplate readers. The filter has a 590 nm center wavelength, a 20 nm full-width bandwidth, and is supplied with a mounting holder for installation.
- 590 nm center wavelength, 20 nm bandwidth.
- Polarized vertical orientation.
- Supplied with mounting holder for installation.
- Optimized for fluorescence polarization measurements.
- Suitable for use in compatible microplate and ELISA readers.
Molecular Devices Absorbance Filter, 350 nm, 10 nm Bandwidth
Molecular Devices 350 nm absorbance filter with 10 nm bandwidth provides narrowband absorbance detection for microplate assays. It is sold as a replaceable filter accessory for compatible absorbance microplate readers and is intended to improve selectivity for wavelength-specific absorbance measurements.
- Center wavelength: 350 nm
- Bandwidth (full width at half maximum): 10 nm
- Filter type: Absorbance
- Intended application: Narrowband absorbance measurements in microplate assays
- Compatibility: Designed for use in compatible absorbance microplate reader filter assemblies
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Polarization Filter, Polarized Horizontal, 400-750 nm
The fluorescence polarization filter is an accessory optical filter designed for polarized fluorescence measurements on compatible microplate readers. It provides a horizontal polarization orientation and covers broad visible wavelengths; the filter is supplied with a holder for installation in the instrument's filter cartridge or slide system.
- Polarized horizontal orientation for fluorescence polarization assays.
- Covers 400 nm-750 nm wavelength range.
- Supplied with a holder for installation in the filter cartridge or slide.
- Designed for use in compatible microplate readers to enable polarized fluorescence detection.
Molecular Devices Absorbance Filter, 630 nm, 8 nm Bandwidth, FilterMax
Molecular Devices absorbance filter (MPN 6590-0028) centered at 630 nm with an approximately 8 nm full-width bandwidth for use in absorbance-based microplate assays.
- Center wavelength 630 nm for red-region absorbance measurements.
- 8 nm bandwidth for narrowband detection.
- Intended for absorbance-based microplate assays.
- Fits microplate readers that accept replaceable absorbance filters.
Molecular Devices Multi-Mode Microplate Reader, Absorbance, Fluorescence, Luminescence
The SpectraMax Mini Multi-Mode Microplate Reader is a compact, user-upgradeable instrument providing absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence detection with integrated SoftMax Pro data analysis. It supports 6-384 well plates and temperature control for routine and kinetic assays.
- Compact, user-upgradeable design with two- or three-mode configurations.
- Supports 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384-well plates.
- Detects absorbance (200-1000 nm), fluorescence (250-850 nm), and luminescence.
- Offers endpoint, kinetic, spectral, and well scanning read modes.
- Temperature control from ambient +4°C to 45°C with ±1°C uniformity at 37°C.
- Includes advanced data analysis software and auto-adjusting PMT for wide dynamic range.
Molecular Devices Emission Slide, Empty, Slide 21, FilterMax Compatible
The empty emission slide is an unpopulated emission filter slide designed to accept user-selected emission filters for custom fluorescence configurations on compatible microplate readers. It installs into the reader's filter slider assembly to provide flexible emission filter selection for fluorescence assays while excluding fluorescence polarization methods.
- Empty emission filter slide for custom filter installation.
- Accepts emission filter elements for fluorescence detection.
- Configurable for fluorescence methods except fluorescence polarization.
- Supplied as a single slide for in-lab or service installation.
- Installs into the reader filter slider assembly for filter mounting.
Molecular Devices Photometric Filter, 650 nm, Absorbance
The AD 340 Photometric Filter 650 is a replacement photometric filter for FilterMax F3 and F5 multimode microplate readers from Molecular Devices. It provides a defined optical band centered at 650 nm for absorbance measurements and is supplied as a single unit for instrument maintenance and assay flexibility.
- Provides a defined optical band centered at 650 nm for absorbance measurements.
- Designed for reliable photometric performance in routine assays.
- Supplied as a single replacement unit to simplify inventory and maintenance.
- Easy to install into compatible instrument filter holders for quick swaps.
Molecular Devices Time-Resolved Emission Filter, 520 nm, 15 nm Bandwidth
Time-resolved emission filter centered at 520 nm with a 15 nm bandwidth, supplied with a holder for installation in compatible microplate readers. Designed to support time-resolved fluorescence detection workflows including TR-FRET and IMAP assays, the filter provides narrow spectral selection and supports temporal gating to improve signal specificity.
- Center wavelength 520 nm
- Spectral bandwidth 15 nm
- Filter type time-resolved emission
- Includes holder for microplate reader installation
- Optimized for time-resolved fluorescence and TR-FRET/IMAP assays
- Improves signal-to-noise in temporal gating measurements
Molecular Devices Emission Filter, 650 nm, 40 nm Bandwidth, Fluorescence
Molecular Devices fluorescence emission bandpass filter with a center wavelength of 650 nm and a 40 nm full bandwidth, designed for spectral selection of red and far-red fluorophores in multi-mode plate readers and imaging systems.
- Provides 650 nm center wavelength with 40 nm full bandwidth.
- Optimized for fluorescence, luminescence, and TRF assays.
- Replaceable emission filter for compatible multi-mode microplate readers.
- Reduces background signal for selective detection of red/far-red fluorophores.
Molecular Devices Nikon Plan Apochromat Lambda D Objective, 2x, 0.10 NA, Air
The CFI Plan Apochromat Lambda D 2x objective is a high-performance, infinity-corrected microscope objective designed for wide-field life-science imaging. It delivers a flat, low-aberration image across a large 25 mm field for brightfield and fluorescence workflows.
- Magnification: 2x.
- Numerical aperture: 0.10.
- Working distance: 8.5 mm.
- Immersion type: air.
- Objective type: plan apochromat.
- Cover glass thickness: 0-0.17 mm.
- Applications: brightfield, DIC, fluorescence, confocal, TIRF.
Molecular Devices Multi-Mode Microplate Reader, Dual Monochromator, 200-1000 nm
The SpectraMax M2 system is a dual-mode multi-detection microplate reader bundled with SoftMax Pro software for data acquisition and analysis. It provides flexible absorbance and fluorescence measurements with tunable monochromators for assay development.
- Multi-mode detection: absorbance and fluorescence measurements.
- Dual monochromators with 1 nm wavelength resolution.
- Wavelength range: absorbance 200-1000 nm; fluorescence excitation 250-850 nm; emission 360-850 nm.
- Supports 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384 well plates.
- Dual-mode cuvette port for cuvette measurements.
- Top-reading capability for fluorescence assays.
- Compact footprint: 8.6 x 22.8 x 15 in; weight 35 lb.
- Compatible with software for acquisition, analysis, and reporting.