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 Photometric Absorbance Filter, 470 nm, 8 nm Bandwidth
The AD 340 photometric filter centered at 470 nm is an absorbance accessory designed for narrowband photometric measurements in microplate assays. It delivers wavelength-specific absorbance detection for filter-based workflows and is intended for compatible multimode microplate readers.
- Absorbance filter for photometric measurements.
- Center wavelength 470 nm.
- Bandwidth approximately 8 nm.
- Designed for use with F3 and F5 multimode microplate readers.
- Suitable for filter-based absorbance assays in microplates.
Molecular Devices Low-Volume Slide Refill Kit, 64-Well, Pack of 3
Replenishment kit of low-volume bottom slides for slide-based microplate readers. The kit includes three low-volume bottom slides, each with 64 wells, intended for low-volume absorbance and related assays.
- Contains three 64-well low-volume bottom slides.
- Intended for low-volume absorbance and slide-based assays.
- Supplies replacement slides to restore slide reader capacity.
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Filter Slide, 485/20 nm, 525/30 nm
Molecular Devices fluorescence filter slide provides narrow bandpass excitation and emission filters for fluorescence detection in compatible microplate readers. The slide features a 485/20 nm excitation filter and a 525/30 nm emission filter to enable sensitive measurement of visible-range fluorophores.
- Excitation bandpass 485/20 nm.
- Emission bandpass 525/30 nm.
- Designed for fluorescence detection in microplate readers.
- Serves as a replaceable filter slide for reader configurations.
- Supports common visible-range fluorophores for assay flexibility.
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Excitation Filter, 370 nm, Time-Resolved, Single Unit
Molecular Devices 370 nm time-resolved fluorescence filter provides excitation at 370 nm for time-resolved fluorescence assays. It is supplied as a single replacement optical filter for compatible fluorescence instruments.
- Provides excitation centered at 370 nm.
- Designed for time-resolved fluorescence measurements.
- Supplied as a single replacement optical filter.
- Intended for use in compatible fluorescence detection instruments.
- Helps improve excitation specificity for time-resolved assays.
Molecular Devices Filter Lens, 630 nm, Emission
The 630 nm filter lens is an interchangeable emission filter designed to enable red-region fluorescence detection on compatible microplate readers. It provides selective transmission centered at 630 nm to improve signal specificity for assays using red-emitting fluorophores.
- Center wavelength 630 nm.
- Designed for emission detection in the red spectral region.
- Interchangeable filter format for compatible microplate readers.
- Enhances signal specificity and reduces background for fluorescence assays.
- Single-unit form factor suitable for routine assay configuration changes.
Molecular Devices Time Resolved Filter, 340 nm, 70 nm bandwidth
Time-resolved excitation filter with a 340 nm center wavelength and a 70 nm bandwidth supplied with a holder for installation in compatible filter modules. Designed for time-resolved fluorescence and TR-FRET measurements in multi-mode microplate readers.
- Supports time-resolved fluorescence and TR-FRET assays.
- 340 nm center wavelength with 70 nm bandwidth.
- Includes filter holder for module installation.
- Compatible with enhanced TRF filter modules and multi-mode microplate readers.
- Optical construction for reproducible excitation performance.
Molecular Devices Polarization Emission Filter, Visible, Pair, For FilterMax Readers
Replacement polarization emission filter set for fluorescence polarization measurements in multi-mode microplate readers. Supplied as a pair (quantity 2), these emission filters are intended to enable polarization-based fluorescence detection and improve signal discrimination in applicable assays.
- Replacement emission filters for fluorescence polarization assays.
- Visible emission band, vendor designation "Visible".
- Sold as a pair (quantity 2) for filter-based reader configurations.
- Intended for compatible multi-mode microplate readers.
- Helps improve polarization signal discrimination and assay reproducibility.
Molecular Devices Filter Lens, 405 nm, Optical, Microplate Reader Compatible
Molecular Devices 405 nm filter lens is an optical bandpass filter designed for filter-based microplate readers. It transmits light centered at 405 nm for selective detection in absorbance or fluorescence assays and serves as a replaceable filter accessory compatible with common filter-based readers such as EMax, VMax, UVMax, and ThermoMax models.
- Center wavelength 405 nm.
- Optical bandpass filter lens for filter-based detection.
- Replaceable accessory for microplate readers.
- Suitable for assays requiring detection near 405 nm.
Molecular Devices Photometric Filter, Absorbance 590 nm, FilterMax Compatible
The AD 340 photometric filter provides a 590 nm center wavelength bandpass for absorbance (photometric) measurements in multimode microplate readers. Supplied as an accessory by Molecular Devices (MPN 6590-0023), the filter installs in a reader's filter holder to enable targeted optical selection for absorbance assays and routine photometric measurements.
- Central wavelength 590 nm for absorbance measurements.
- Designed for photometric microplate assays.
- Installs in a standard filter holder for quick replacement.
- Provides consistent optical selection for repeatable readings.
Molecular Devices Absorbance Filter, 548 nm, 8 nm BW
Molecular Devices absorbance filter providing narrow-band absorbance detection centered at 548 nm with an 8 nm full bandwidth. Intended as a replacement or accessory filter for FilterMax microplate readers, it enables absorbance-based assays that require precise 548 nm detection.
- Narrow-band center wavelength of 548 nm for specific absorbance assays.
- 8 nm full bandwidth to improve wavelength selectivity and reduce crosstalk.
- Compatible with filter-based microplate reader absorbance modules.
- Supplied as a single unit for straightforward replacement.
- Suitable for absorbance-based assays requiring 548 nm detection.
Molecular Devices Excitation Filter, 535 nm, 25 nm Bandwidth
This excitation filter provides a 535 nm center wavelength with a 25 nm full-width bandwidth for fluorescence excitation in microplate assays. It is intended for use with multi-mode fluorescence microplate readers to enable selective excitation of fluorophores around 535 nm.
- Center wavelength 535 nm.
- Bandwidth 25 nm full width.
- Excitation filter for fluorescence detection.
- Compatible with multi-mode microplate and ELISA readers.
- Designed for microplate-based fluorescence assays.
Molecular Devices Filter Slide, Empty, Excitation, 6-Filter Capacity
Empty excitation filter slide for FilterMax multi-mode microplate readers. Supplied unpopulated to allow custom installation of excitation filters for fluorescence and many luminescence methods. The slide installs into the instrument filter track and secures filters with small hex screws.
- Supplied empty for custom filter configurations.
- Accepts up to six individual filters per slide.
- Distinct sizes for excitation and emission slides to prevent misinstallation.
- Install and handle by the tab to avoid contaminating filter surfaces.
- When configured as an excitation slide, not compatible with fluorescence polarization (FP) methods.
Molecular Devices MAGNET ID-SERIES NFC SPECTRAMAX SET OF 4
MAGNET ID-SERIES NFC SPECTRAMAX SET OF 4.
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Polarization Filter, 465 nm, 35 nm, Vertical
The Molecular Devices fluorescence polarization filter passes light centered at 465 nm with a 35 nm bandwidth and is polarized for a vertical orientation. Supplied mounted in a holder, the filter is intended as a spare/accessory for compatible multi-mode microplate readers and is optimized for fluorescence polarization assays.
- Passes light centered at 465 nm with a 35 nm bandwidth.
- Vertical polarization to support fluorescence polarization measurements.
- Supplied mounted in a holder for easy insertion into filter slides.
- Optimized for fluorescence polarization assays to improve measurement specificity.
- Reduces background by rejecting off-band light to improve signal-to-noise ratio.
- Handle by the tab only to avoid fingerprints and preserve optical performance.
Molecular Devices Fluorescence Filter, 400 nm, 30 nm BW, Holder
This fluorescence filter with holder provides an optical band centered at 400 nm with a 30 nm bandwidth for use in microplate-based fluorescence assays, luminescence, and time-resolved fluorescence detection. It serves as an accessory optical element for multimode microplate readers.
- 400 nm center wavelength, 30 nm bandwidth
- Designed for fluorescence, luminescence, and time-resolved fluorescence detection
- Includes mounting holder for installation in standard filter slots
- Intended for use with multimode microplate readers and plate-based assays