Novel microplate and microplate reader technologies are making data analysis faster, more accurate and more powerful. Sean Ottewell reports.
PerkinElmer is claiming a world first with its new EnSight multimode plate reader. The company says it is the first plate reader on the market to offer both labelled and label-free detection, together with well-imaging technology – which facilitates cell imaging – on a single benchtop system. According to PerkinElmer, this combination allows researchers to run their assays on the same platform – generating more predictive results earlier in the drug discovery process.
The EnSight System
Scientists can use the EnSight system for research into cancer, cytotoxicity, biotherapeutics, epigenetics and primary/stem cells. The EnSight system enables them to generate more reliable readouts and obtain an expanded set of data from their samples. They can also use the system’s variety of technology modes to perform confirmatory assays, helping to ensure that results are not biased to the detection technologies used for their sampling.
“With the EnSight system, we’ve applied PerkinElmer’s great expertise in cell imaging to our multimode plate reader technology, and we’ve developed an innovative offering designed to enable scientists to obtain new insights from their research, which can accelerate the development of new therapeutics,” said Brian Kim, president, life sciences & technology, PerkinElmer.
The system offers cell imaging capabilities that allow researchers to quickly visualise cells and generate per-cell data. When using primary/stem cells, this per-cell data is a more physiologically relevant model than the per-well data generated by traditional multimode detection technologies.
Increased Analysis Speed
In addition to the novel combination of detection technologies it offers, the system also benefits from PerkinElmer’s new Kaleido data acquisition and analysis software. This software’s workflow-based interface enables researchers to quickly and easily set up and run assays, perform analysis tasks (such as cell counting), and generate graphs and reports.
Alongside cell imaging capabilities, the EnSight system also offers Alpha Technology – a bead-based proximity assay technology platform – as well as PerkinElmer’s LANCE and DELFIA TRF (time resolved fluorescence) assay platforms. The system also features Epic label-free technology, which provides rich, physiologically relevant information about cellular and biochemical systems, without label interference.
New from BMG Labtech is its Clariostar microplate reader. Designed for versatility and high performance, the new reader includes the triple technology of advanced LVF monochromators, spectrometer, and filters. This triple technology feature ensures that there is no compromise on sensitivity or flexibility, while high performance in all detection modes makes Clariostar ideal for assay development, too.
The company claims the new solution is the most sensitive and flexible form of this technology currently available in a microplate reader.
How Do LVF Monochromators Work?
LVF monochromators use linear variable filters to separate light into distinct wavelengths, unlike conventional monochromators that use metal gratings. With continuously adjustable bandwidths up to 100 nm (four times larger than conventional monochromators) and significantly increased performance, LVF monochromators have filter-like sensitivity and flexibility for fluorescence and luminescence assays.
They can be used in any common fluorescence or luminescence assay, but are also suited for more complex applications. Scanning the spectra of new or unusual fluorophores, where the excitation and emission wavelengths are unknown, or scanning fluorophores in non-standard buffer conditions where the pH may affect the peak maxima, is easily done. In addition, multiplexing assays with fluorophores or lumiphores of similar or overlapping spectra benefit greatly from definable bandwidths of 8 to 100nms.
This allows the user to define ‘filters’ that make the assay workable. Wavelength and bandwidth can be the difference between an ordinary and an excellent assay, notes the company.
With practical functionality, user-friendly software and affordable modularity for key user demands, BioTek has launched its Synergy HTX multi-mode microplate reader.
This new system is offered as an entry-level multi-mode reader to automate UV-Vis absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence and AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA assays in 6- to 384-well microplates in 2µL samples with BioTek’s Take3 micro-volume plates.
The novel dual-optics design results in superior filter based top and bottom fluorescence, luminescence and monochromator-based absorbance measurements for maximum applications versatility. The company says that Synergy HTX’s modularity allows upgrading over time while its powerful Gen5 software controls all functionality while providing data analysis for many applications within one powerful yet intuitive package.
Synergy HTX has linear and orbital shaking and four-zone incubation to 50°C with condensation control to minimise plate lid condensation. These features, plus a dual reagent dispenser, make Synergy HTX an ideal platform for biochemical and cell-based applications such as nucleic acid quantification, cell growth and toxicity assays, kinetic ELISA and inject/read assays, says the company. In addition, workflows can be further automated with the BioStack microplate stacker or third-party automation.
What Are Brandplates inertGrade 96-well Microplates?
In terms of new plates, BrandTech Scientific has launched its new Brandplates inertGrade 96-well microplates for cultivation of suspension and stem cells. Available in a full range of well shapes and colours, these individually wrapped sterile plates have orange embossed alphanumeric lettering for easy identification of surface treatment and well locations.
The company says its new microplates are especially suited for cell cultures when adhesion is not desired. Hydrogel technology optimises the surface characteristics to suppress interactions of cells or protein with the polystyrene plastic. This reduction of cell adhesion and protein adsorption minimises enzyme and cellular activation to aid in the inhibition of the differentiation of progenitor or stem cells and promotes the formation of spheroids.
All the new culture plates are sterilised by ethylene oxide to comply with the requirements of both USP 20 and Ph.Eur standards, while also meeting the cytotoxic substance level requirement for DIN EN ISO 10993.
An interactive selection guide on the company’s website helps identify the ideal solution for a particular job, while a set of application notes show the different cells types that these microplates can be used with. The company also offers a no-cost, obligation-free sample programme to show how intertGrade plates work in specific applications.
Porvair’s New Partner: SPEware Corporation
In the face of growing demand for its 94-well and 383-well concentration systems, Porvair Sciences has appointed SPEware Corporation as its exclusive partner for supporting and servicing its UltraVap, MiniVap and UltraVap Mistral microplate sample concentration systems.
“SPEware Corporation brings over 20-years’ experience of sample preparation to the laboratory using solid phase extraction (SPE) and phospholipid removal/protein crash products, all paired with positive pressure processors and automation. This knowledge has helped them to establish Porvair’s MiniVap, UltraVap and most recently UltraVap Mistral microplate sample concentrator range in the USA,” notes Steve Knight at Porvair Sciences.
Drawing upon Porvair’s established position in nitrogen blow down microplate sample concentration, the recently launched UltraVap Mistral offers a simple, turnkey solution for integrating an automatic dry down step into automated liquid handling protocols. The UltraVap Mistral is fully optimised to work with robotic liquid handling systems from suppliers including Beckman, Hamilton and Tecan and features a ‘shuttle’ design capable of serving and retrieving microplates to and from the robot deck without further need for off-deck handling.
Also new from Porvair is the Chromatrap96 HT, a high throughput ChIP microplate based on the novel spin-column ChIP technology. It is essentially 96 separate Chromatrap spin-columns in one device designed to enable researchers to perform up to 96 ChIP experiments in parallel. Assays can be performed either by using hand-held multichannel pipette or by using automated liquid handling robots for even higher throughputs
