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 Emission Filter, Time Resolved, 490 nm, 10 nm
Time-resolved emission filter designed for time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The optical filter centers at 490 nm with a 10 nm full width bandwidth and is supplied with a holder for insertion into compatible multi-mode microplate readers. Typical applications include donor emission detection in TR-FRET and other time-resolved assays.
- 490 nm center wavelength, 10 nm bandwidth.
- Includes holder for filter-slide insertion.
- Designed for time-resolved fluorescence applications.
- Optimized for donor emission detection in TR-FRET assays.
- Fits standard filter slots on compatible microplate readers.
Molecular Devices SpectraDrop Micro-Volume Refills, 24-Well, Teflon-Coated, Pack of 3
Molecular Devices SpectraDrop Micro-Volume 24-well refill kit includes three low-volume, Teflon-coated bottom slides to replace worn slides in SpectraDrop micro-volume assemblies. Slides are designed for precise droplet placement and reproducible low-volume absorbance and quantitation using 2 μL or 4 μL configurations.
- Contains three low-volume 24-well bottom slides.
- Teflon-coated bottom slides for precise droplet placement.
- Compatible with micro-volume adapters and cover slides.
- Supports 2 μL and 4 μL low-volume configurations (system-level).
- Intended for micro-volume absorbance and sample quantitation.
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 Fluorescence Filter Kit, EM 660 nm, 40 nm
The SpectraMax Fluorescence Intensity Filter Kit delivers five exchangeable optical filters for fluorescence, luminescence, and time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) assays on compatible multi-mode microplate readers. The kit includes an emission 660 nm filter with a 40 nm bandwidth plus additional excitation and emission filters to support common assays.
- Includes five exchangeable filters covering common fluorescence wavelengths from ~400-700 nm.
- Contains an emission 660 nm filter with a 40 nm full bandwidth for near-IR fluorescence detection.
- Supports fluorescence intensity, luminescence, and time-resolved fluorescence assay modes.
- Allows quick filter exchange to adapt to different assay requirements.
- Designed for use with compatible multi-mode microplate readers to expand detection flexibility.
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Polarization Filter, 485 nm, 20 nm, Vertical
The Molecular Devices fluorescence polarization filter (MPN 6590-0094) is a vertical polarization filter engineered for fluorescence polarization assays with a 485 nm center wavelength and a 20 nm optical bandwidth. It is intended as a replacement or accessory filter for compatible multi-mode microplate readers.
- Optimized for fluorescence polarization assays at a 485 nm center wavelength.
- 20 nm bandwidth provides narrow spectral selection and reduced crosstalk.
- Vertical polarization orientation for polarization-based measurements.
- Designed for installation in filter-slide assemblies of compatible microplate readers.
- Replacement filter for restoring or modifying detection channels.
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Excitation Filter, 550 nm, 10 nm
A narrow-band fluorescence excitation filter centered at 550 nm with a 10 nm full width at half maximum (FWHM), designed for microplate fluorescence assays to isolate excitation light and improve signal specificity.
- Provides narrow-band excitation centered at 550 nm.
- 10 nm full width at half maximum for selective excitation.
- Optimized for microplate fluorescence measurements.
- Reduces background and improves signal-to-noise ratio.
- Designed for use in compatible microplate fluorescence readers.
Molecular Devices RS-232C Cable, DB-25 Male to DB-9 Female, Straight-Through
This dedicated RS-232C serial cable connects MAXline series microplate readers (EMax, VMax, UVMax, ThermoMax) to a computer RS-232 port. It uses a DB-25 male connector at the instrument end and a DB-9 female connector at the computer end and follows the manufacturer's straight-through RS-232C pin routing for reliable bidirectional communication.
- Connector type: DB-25 male (instrument) to DB-9 female (computer).
- Interface: RS-232C, straight-through wiring.
- Shielding: double-shielded cable recommended for noise reduction.
- Compatibility: MAXline family microplate readers with DB-25 RS-232 instrument port.
- Pin wiring: manufacturer-specified 25-to-9 pin routing for bidirectional communication.
- Cable length: not specified in available documentation.
Molecular Devices Emission Filter Lens, 595 nm, Microplate Reader Compatible
The Molecular Devices 595 nm filter lens is an emission optical filter designed for fluorescence detection in compatible microplate readers. It provides selective transmission around 595 nm for assays using red-emitting fluorophores and can be used as a replacement or accessory for reader filter wheels.
- Optimized for emission at approximately 595 nm.
- Suitable for fluorescence assays using Cy3/TRITC and related fluorophores.
- Intended as a replacement or accessory for compatible microplate reader filter wheels.
- Supplied as a single unit for service or maintenance use.
Molecular Devices Replacement Lamp Pack, Microplate Reader, 2-Lamp, 5 V
Replacement lamp pack for use with Molecular Devices Emax and Vmax microplate readers. Contains two 5 V lamps to restore the reader's illumination for optical assays.
- Restores instrument light output for absorbance and fluorescence measurements.
- Includes two replacement lamps per package for complete lamp replacement.
- 5 V lamp specification designed for microplate reader lamp assemblies.
- Field-replaceable bulbs simplify routine maintenance.
Molecular Devices Excitation Filter, 540 nm, 25 nm Bandwidth, Bandpass
Molecular Devices FilterMax fluorescence excitation bandpass filter centered at 540 nm with a 25 nm full width, designed for targeted excitation in fluorescence microplate assays. It reduces out-of-band light to improve assay signal-to-noise and installs into compatible filter slide slots for rapid configuration.
- Provides 540 nm excitation with 25 nm bandwidth.
- Bandpass design reduces background and improves signal specificity.
- Optimized for microplate-based fluorescence assays.
- Fits into compatible filter slide slots for quick installation.
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 Excitation Filter Slide, Empty, FilterMax F3 F5 Compatible
The Molecular Devices empty excitation filter slide is an unpopulated slide designed for the installation of user-selected excitation filters in multi-mode microplate readers. It installs into the instrument's filter-slide holder, enabling custom excitation spectra for specialized fluorescence assays.
- Unpopulated slide for user-installed excitation filters.
- Allows custom excitation configurations for specific assays.
- Standard slide form factor for quick installation and removal.
- Compatible with instruments that accept excitation filter slides per manufacturer specifications.
Molecular Devices Membrane Holder, Western blot, For Microplate Reader
The ScanLater membrane holder secures western blot membranes for scanning within the ScanLater western blot detection workflow on compatible multi-mode microplate readers. It positions membranes for reproducible scanning and integrates with membrane detection modules to enable time-resolved fluorescence measurements.
- Holds standard western blot membranes securely for scanning.
- Positions membranes reproducibly to improve scan consistency.
- Integrates into a microplate reader workflow for membrane detection.
- Enables time-resolved fluorescence membrane measurements when used with compatible detection hardware.
- Simple insertion and removal for efficient sample handling.
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Polarization Filters, 400-750 nm, Polarized
Molecular Devices fluorescence polarization filter set (6590-0133) provides polarized excitation and emission filters plus a holder for fluorescence polarization assays on compatible multi-mode microplate readers. The kit includes polarized filters for broad visible-to-near-IR detection and is supplied as two vertically polarized and two horizontally polarized filters for polarization-based measurements.
- Wavelength range 400-750 nm.
- Polarization orientation: two vertical, two horizontal.
- Set of four filters with holder for slide installation.
- Intended for fluorescence polarization measurements.
- Suitable for broad visible to near-infrared fluorescence detection.