4
1
Introduction and Intended Use
1.1 What to expect from the user’s manual
Instrument use
Software installation
Quick start guides for operational use (to perform a quick measurement, kinetics and
multi-wavelength measurements).
A technical explanation of how the instrument operates
General features
Helpful hints for obtaining the best measurements using the instrument.
Maintenance
1.2 Introduction
What is a microplate reader?
A microplate reader is a used to measure the absorbance of liquid samples in a 96-welll plate.
What do microplate readers measure?
Microplate readers measure the amount of specific wavelengths of light that is absorbed by
molecules within a solution.
Why is this useful and how do microplate readers measure sample absorbance?
The amount of light absorbed by molecules within a sample is proportional to the sample
concentration as described by Beer-Lambert’s Law:
A = e c b
A= absorbance
e = molar absorptivity (L mol
-1
cm
-1
)
c = molar concentration (mol dm
-3
)
b = pathlength (cm)