PHERAstar FSX

Automatic Z-height adjustment is extremely important for obtaining the best possible signal from every sample. If the focus is inaccurate by as little as 0.2 mm, this can result in a signal degradation of up to 25%. BMG LABTECH's Z-height focus adjustment tool scans the whole sample with 0.1 mm resolution and determines the height at which the strongest signal can be measured.

Simultaneous Dual Emission (SDE) detection allows the measurement of two emitted wavelengths at the same time. It reduces plate read times and corrects for any signal variation due to differences in well volumes, concentrations, or fluctuations in excitation energy. SDE is the ideal tool for double-emission assays such as FRET, TR-FRET, fluorescence polarization and BRET, since the sample only has to be read once.

Excitation lasers significantly improve performance and lower limits of detection, since they yield higher excitation energy at a specific wavelength when compared to xenon lamps.

Both the CLARIOstar and the PHERAstar FSX can be equipped with a laser dedicated to Alpha Technology (AlphaScreen^®, AlphaLISA^® and AlphaPlex^TM) detection. This dedicated laser outperforms any xenon-based light source by specifically exciting donors at 680 nm.

Fluorescent and luminescent detection of adherent cells substantially profits from measurements performed from the bottom of the well. The PHERAstar FSX, CLARIOstar Plus and VANTAstar have a free air optical path to the bottom of the microplate, improving sensitivity and eliminating the need for fiber optics or light guides.

Unlike conventional microplate readers, all BMG LABTECH readers require no displacement or installation of any additional hardware when switching between top and bottom reading modes.

Automation is a key feature in high-throughput screening. BMG LABTECH microplate readers have been successfully integrated into various robotic systems. Small footprint, multiple robotic software interfaces and an automation-friendly plate carrier guarantee an easy integration into all leading robotic platforms. 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.

A unique feature of the PHERAstar FSX, Decay Curve Monitoring provides an indispensable tool for assay troubleshooting and performance fine-tuning for TRF, TR-FRET and AlphaScreen^® assays. Thanks to special detectors with direct photon measurement system, fluorophore decay curves can be collected for one or two wavelengths with a user-selectable resolution of down to 2 µs.

While other TR-FRET microplate readers simply give an integration value for the area under the curve, the PHERAstar FSX gives much more!

Many of today's most popular assays such as enzyme kinetics, calcium flux, and dual luciferase require the ability to monitor a signal during and after the addition of a reagent. All BMG LABTECH readers, with the exception of the SPECTROstar Nano, can be equipped with up to two reagent injectors. Injectors enable reagent delivery to any plate format from 6 to 384 wells.

PHERAstar Optic Modules free users from worrying about which filter is installed, which dichroic is being used, or if the components are installed correctly. Optic Modules incorporate all the parts necessary to run a specific assay. They are labelled with a barcode and detected by the plate reader, eliminating the possibility of using the wrong filter set. Just drop a module into the PHERAstar and read the assay. It is that simple.

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.

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, 60°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.