Incubation and Shaking

All BMG LABTECH microplate readers are equipped with both shaking and incubation, features that allow users to mix the well content and easily measure samples at elevated temperatures.

Incubation

The incubator controls air-temperature in the measurement chamber from near room temperature up to 60°C (45°C is standard). In the Omega series, extended incubation up to 65°C is also possible. This capability enables the accurate measurement of enzyme kinetics, cellular assays, apoptosis, and heat-shock responses. Users can also increase temperature at regular time intervals so that temperature-sensitive reactions can be carried out entirely within the reader.

Temperature-regulated heating plates above and below the entire plate movement area provide uniform incubation from well to well. This also creates a more stable temperature-buffered area when microplates are inserted or when reagents are added.

Shaking

BMG LABTECH microplate readers permit shaking that varies in intensity, duration and the direction of motion. Orbital, double-orbital or linear shaking can be defined via software. The shaking radius is adjustable and users can vary displacement based upon well size and fluid volume.

Shaking can be programmed to occur before or after kinetic measurement cycles, or only after an injection cycle has been completed. For assays that require high uniformity, shaking can take place immediately following reagent injection into a well.

In this tutorial from BMG LABTECH's Video Training Series, you will learn how to control and monitor the incubator temperature in your Microplate Reader.