POLARstar Omega

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 built-in reagent injectors. Injectors enable reagent delivery to any plate format from 6 to 384 wells.

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.

Microplate readers require a light source to provide the incident of light directed at the sample.