Omega Microplate Reader Series

Modular Upgradeable Microplate Readers with Tandem Technology

The Omega Series is the world's only multidetection microplate reader series with Tandem Technology utilizing ultra-sensitive filter based detection in all detection modes and high-speed UV/Vis spectrometer based absorbance. The innovative Omega microplate readers are capable of capturing an absorbance spectrum (220 - 1000 nm) at a resolution of 1 nm. Read times faster than 1 second per well are possible.

Upgradability for Greater Functionality

All instruments in the Omega Series of microplate readers are fully upgradeable to the POLARstar Omega, which can be configured with up to seven different detection modes. In addition, several accessories are available that will make your Omega microplate reader an even more powerful life science microplate reader:

Advanced Assay Technology (AAT) Package for the FLUOstar and POLARstar Omega Microplate Readers

The Advanced Assay Technology (AAT) package will further enhance your FLUOstar or POLARstar Omega multidetection microplate reader by allowing it to do more advanced assays such as HTRF®, LanthaScreen® and AlphaScreen®. The AAT package includes:

• High-end TRF optical reading head which gives fantastic performance advantage for all time-resolved fluorescence applications, including TR-FRET
  
  
• Specialized AlphaScreen® / AlphaLISA® mode which provides the Omega multidetection microplate readers with AlphaScreen® / AlphaLISA® performance that rivals any HTS microplate reader

LVis Plate for Low Volume Measurements in all Omega Spectrometer-based Microplate Readers

The Omega series of spectrometer based microplate readers are fully compatible with BMG LABTECH´s proprietary LVis Plate. The LVis Plate can measure 16 low volume samples such as DNA, RNA, or Protein. In addition, the built-in cuvette holder allows for larger sample measurements, while the optional quality control optical density (OD) and holmium oxide filters are fantastic for verifying instrument performance testing.

This technical application note details the use of the LVis plate on a BMG LABTECH spectrometer based microplate reader, the SPECTROstar Nano:
DNA measurements in low volume samples, microplates and cuvettes on the SPECTROstar Nano

ACU – Atmospheric Control Unit for All Omega Microplate Readers

The Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU) for the Omega microplate reader series is a true "walk-away" solution for long term cell based assays, and for applications including: hypoxia, migration studies, cell viability, cell proliferation, ischemia/reperfusion, bacterial studies, viral uptake, and invasion assays. Dual valve intakes allow for two gases to be controlled at one time:

• Regulate O2 from 1 % - 19 %
  
  
• Regulate CO2 from 0 % - 20 %

The ACU is ideal for optimizing the atmosphere of all cell types, including stem, mammalian, yeast, fungal, and bacterial. Here are several application notes that show its benefit:

AN223: Real-time Monitoring of Intracellular Oxygen Using MitoXpress®-Intra
AN217: Growth of Campylobacter using BMG LABTECH's FLUOstar Omega equipped with ACU
AN204: Analysis of migration using the Oris(TM) Cell Migration Assay-TriCoated kit on the POLARstar Omega

Assay Certifications

The FLUOstar and POLARstar Omega microplate readers can read even more demanding assays such as HTRF®, LanthaScreen™ and AlphaScreen® / AlphaLISA®. The POLARstar Omega has also received Transcreener® validation from Bellbrook Labs for 96-well format. With HTRF® and DLReady™ certification as well as LanthaScreen™ certified plus status, BMG LABTECH’s Omega microplate readers are the perfect solution for all your microplate based applications.

In addition, the Omega microplate reader series offers a number of outstanding features known from the successful OPTIMA series, such as a dedicated luminescence detection system, top and bottom microplate reading, multi-color detection, well scanning, sixteen filter positions, expanded temperature control up to 65°C and unrivalled plate shaking capabilities. The Omega microplate readers can read microplate formats up to 1536-well plates and onboard ‘smart’ injectors can be used to initiate kinetics and produce dilution schemes and concentration gradients across the microplate.

The Omega Series is made up of four microplate readers:

FLUOstar Omega				POLARstar Omega
		Spectrometer based UV/Vis Absorbance				Spectrometer based UV/Vis Absorbance
		Fluorescence Intensity				Fluorescence Intensity
		Time-resolved Fluorescence				Fluorescence Polarization
		TR-FRET				Time-resolved Fluorescence
		AlphaScreen® / AlphaLISA®				TR-FRET
						AlphaScreen® / AlphaLISA®
		Luminescence
		Easy upgrade to POLARstar Omega				Luminescence
LUMIstar Omega				SPECTROstar Omega
		Luminescence				Spectrometer based UV/Vis Absorbance
		Upgradeable with additional detection modes and spectrometer based UV/Vis absorbance				Fully upgradeable to FLUOstar Omega or POLARstar Omega with additional detection modes

BMG LABTECH’s standardized reader footprint and robotic software interface make it easy to integrate the Omega reader into all robotic automation systems. For rapid mid-throughput plate handling, the Stacker, with 50 microplate capacity and an integrated barcode reader, can be added to any Omega microplate reader.

The Omega series of multidetection microplate readers are delivered with a new version of BMG LABTECH’s established Omega Reader Control software and comprehensive Data Analysis Software, MARS. The highly intuitive software provides limitless possibilities for test set up where it is needed, but also offers a “Quick-Start” mode for running routine analysis with just 3 mouse clicks. In MARS, a wizard guides the user through the entire data analysing process. Additionally, a template manager can be used for building complex data processing protocols. Improved robotic integration capabilities, digital signature and 21 CFR part 11 compliance of MARS complete this new software package.

In order to run BMG LABTECH instruments, you also need a personal computer with Windows^TM operating system (7/Vista/Win 2000/XP). Easy export to MS Excel^TM 2007/2003/2000/XP is possible.