SPECTROstar Nano
The SPECTROstar Nano is equipped with BMG LABTECH’s ultra-fast UV/vis spectrometer, which allows users to measure full-spectrum absorbance (220 – 1000 nm) in less than 1 second per well.
It is the ideal instrument to read all absorbance assays in a microplate or cuvette – with many common assay protocols predefined and available at the click of the mouse.
Features
- High-speed absorbance measurements
- Measurements in up to 1536-well plates
- Integrated cuvette port
- LVis Plate compatibility
- Incubation up to 45 °C
- Multiple shaking options
- Well scanning with up to 900 data points per well
Microplate Reader Technologies
Automation
Automation is a key feature in high-throughput screening. Several BMG LABTECH microplate readers have been successfully integrated into various robotic systems. Since all instruments have the same x-y dimensions and plate out/in position, once automation has been designed for one BMG LABTECH reader, the solution will work for all. All plate readers can be controlled through ActiveX or DDE interfaces. Moreover, the ASCII data output is the most versatile in the industry and works with most LIMS and automation platforms.
Gas Vent
BMG LABTECH offers two forms of gas control on its microplate readers. The Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU) for the CLARIOstar is a unique microprocessor-controlled unit that independently regulates both CO2 and O2 inside the microplate reader. Alternatively, the Gas Vent is a positive pressure gas purge through which the internal atmosphere of the microplate reader can be replaced.
Incubation and Shaking
Shaking and incubation allow users to mix the well content and easily run measurements at elevated temperatures. The incubator controls the air temperature in the measurement chamber from room temperature up to 45 °C or 65 °C. BMG LABTECH microplate readers are equipped with orbital, double-orbital or linear shaking with definable intensity, duration and direction of motion. These features are available on all BMG LABTECH plate readers.
Path Length Correction
Absorbance measurements such as DNA quantification or protein determination detected in a microplate reader are frequently compared and/or normalized to results from a 1 cm path length cuvette. All BMG LABTECH microplate readers have the ability to perform a 1 cm path length correction thanks to an internal fitting algorithm. Using this correction, data normalization to 1 cm path is given with only one mouse click.
UV/vis Spectrometer
BMG LABTECH was the first and is the only microplate reader manufacturer to equip its instruments with a UV/vis spectrometer for absorbance measurements. Similar to a monochromator, but much faster, the spectrometer will capture full-absorbance spectra from 220 to 1000 nm at a resolution of 1 nm in less than one second/well. Alternatively, up to eight discrete wavelengths can be collected at the same time.
Well Scanning
For non-homogeneous samples such as for cell-based assays, where the sample distribution is uneven across the well, a single reading in the centre of the well is inadequate. To overcome this problem, all BMG LABTECH readers come with an advanced Well Scanning feature that can take multiple measurements in each well with a resolution of up to 900 points/well. Alternatively, in spiral or orbital averaging mode, the reader takes several measurements for each well on a defined spiral or orbit and calculates an average.
