POLARstar OPTIMA Multidetection Microplate Reader from BMG LABTECH

Description

The POLARstar OPTIMA is a multidetection microplate reader with many features well-suited for life science laboratories. The POLARstar can read the following detection modes:

• Fluorescence Polarization
• Fluorescence Intensity – including FRET
• Time-Resolved Fluorescence - DELFIA^®
• High-Performance Luminescence (flash and glow) – including BRET, DLReady^TM certified
• Absorbance – UV/Vis with 1 cm path length correction

Simultaneous Dual Emission detection makes FP, FRET, and BRET assays faster and more precise. The POLARstar OPTIMA does not have to switch filters or polarizers to read the second channel thus making the read twice as fast as single channel microplate readers. And, since both channels are read at the same time the results are more precise. The POLARstar OPTIMA collects both emission vectors simultaneously for a fantastic speed advantage.

The POLARstar OPTIMA is designed for the widest possible range of non-radioactive labeled applications:

By integrating a high intensity xenon flash lamp with sophisticated PMT technology the POLARstar OPTIMA can cover the wavelength range from 240 to 740 nm or 240 to 900 nm for excitation or emission. The POLARstar OPTIMA can read all plate formats from 6- up to 384-well plates in all detection modes.

Incubation
Temperature-regulated heating plates above and below the entire plate movement area provide uniform incubation up to 45°C or 60°C. The top incubation plate is at a slightly higher temperature than the bottom plate to reduce or even eliminate condensation when lids or sealers are used.

On-board reagent injectors
The POLARstar OPTIMA can be equipped with up to two reagent injectors. These injectors can be used in protocols to deliver agonists, substrates, enzymes - even cells to wells for advanced microplate assays. Within the control software, you can adjust injection speed and timing that is appropriate for the assay. Delivery volume is adjustable between 3-350 µL in 0.5 µL increments and is individually adjustable for each well allowing the user to produce dilution schemes, concentration ranges, etc.

Endpoint, slow, and fast kinetic measurements
Kinetic applications can be defined with interval times from 20 ms per read (50 measurement points per second) to several hours allowing you to capture any kinetic event. You can capture a fast calcium signal that happens in a few seconds or measure bacteria growth over a period of days.

Multi-color detection
The POLARstar OPTIMA can be used to measure up to eight fluorophores/lumiphores/chromophores per well allowing you to perform 260 nm / 280 nm, SNPs, and other multichromatics assays easily.

Stacker and robot compatibility
BMG LABTECH's standardized reader footprint and robotic software interface (via DDE or ActiveX) make it easy to integrate the POLARstar OPTIMA into all leading robotic systems. For mid-throughput, BMG LABTECH also offers the 50 plate Stacker with optional bar code reader.

Specifications/Features

Wavelength Range:
240 to 740 nm or 240 to 900 nm

Plates Accepted:
6 to 384-well plates

Sample Format:
6 to 384-well plates

Features:

• Top and bottom reading


• Two matched PMTs allow Simultaneous Dual Emission detection


• Fantastic speed and precision advantage in FRET, BRET and FP assays


• On-board "smart" injectors


• Plate shaking, incubation up to 60°C


• Plate formats up to 384-well

Light Source:
High-energy xenon flash lamp