Molecular Devices SpectraMax GEMINI EM, Operator'S Manual

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Chapter 1
1-6 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual
The Microplate Drawer
Figure 1.3: Microplate Drawer (Shown with Adapter Inserted)
The microplate drawer, located on the right side of the SpectraMax
GEMINI EM, slides in and out of the microplate chamber. A small plastic
pusher, located in the front left corner of the drawer, holds the plate securely
in place when the drawer is closed. The drawer remains in the reading cham-
ber during read cycles.
One plate carrier adapter is provided with the instrument. The adapter is
required for optimum performance with standard 96- and 384-well format
microplates in top read mode.
The adapter must be removed to read 6-, 12-, 24-, or 48-well plates.
Microplate drawer operation varies, depending upon the incubator status.
When the incubator is off, the microplate drawer remains open at power up
and after a read. When the incubator is on, the drawer closes automatically to
assist in controlling the temperature of the microplate chamber. To open the
drawer, press the
[Drawer]
key. The drawer will remain open for approxi-
mately ten seconds, after which a beeping sound will alert you approximately
two seconds before the drawer closes automatically. (The drawer will remain
open longer during intervals set for adding reagents during kinetic reads—
see the NOTE on page 1-5).
Do not obstruct the movement of the drawer. If you must retrieve a plate
after an error condition or power outage and the drawer will not open, it
is possible to open it manually (see Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting”).
Microplates
The SpectraMax GEMINI EM can accommodate standard 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-,
and 384-well microplates. Black-walled, clear-bottom or all black microplates
are generally recommended for
fl uorescence assays because they have lower
backgrounds than clear plates. White plates may be preferred for lumines-
cence assays to optimize light collection.
Not all manufacturers’ microplates are the same with regard to design, mate-
rials, or con
fi guration. Some plastics, most notably polystyrene, also have sig-
ni fi cant native fl uorescence and can cause moderate to severe background
fl uorescence, especially in the UV range. If high sensitivity is required, it may
be appropriate to use microplates that are designed to reduce background fl u-
orescence.
NOTE:
NOTE: