AlphaScreen® (Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay®) Mode

AlphaScreen® is a unique assay technology that measures the interaction of two molecules bioconjugated to donor and acceptor beads. When interactions occur between these molecules, the beads are brought close enough to cause a chemical reaction as shown in an AlphaScreen® assay example below. Upon laser excitation at 680 nm, a singlet oxygen transfer occurs that leads to a strong light emission between 520 to 620 nm, which is directly proportional to the amount of binding.

This oxygen cascade needs a high intensity excitation source to initiate the reaction. The PHERAstar series of multidetection HTS microplate reader uses a solid state laser that produces high-intensity light at 680 nm, perfectly suited for the AlphaScreen® assay. This laser, coupled with extremely low-noise luminescence readings, make BMG LABTECH's PHERAstar series the perfect microplate readers for AlphaScreen® assays.

BMG LABTECH engineers have designed a specialized measurement mode and optical system to provide the FLUOstar and POLARstar Omega microplate readers with AlphaScreen® performance that rivals any HTS microplate reader. For the first time, experience fantastic AlphaScreen® performance on a mid-range reader. Along with Advanced Performance TRF, AlphaScreen® is part of the Omega's optional Advanced Assay Technology package. It utilizes an optional TRF optical reading head that incorporates an assay specific dichroic mirror. Combined with the high intensity xenon flash lamp, assay optimized filters and adjustable gain, the TRF reading head allows the FLUOstar and POLARstar Omega to outperform any microplate reader in the mid-range market.

BMG LABTECH has published application notes (AN) on AlphaScreen® using various BMG LABTECH microplate readers:

Detection of tyrosine kinase activity using the PHERAstar in AlphaScreen® mode (AN 153)
AlphaScreen® Phosphotyrosine Assay Performed on a FLUOstar Omega and a POLARstar Omega (AN 186)

The following BMG LABTECH microplate readers can be configured to perform AlphaScreen® measurements: