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Chapter 1: Introduction
The SpectraMax® Mini Multi-Mode Microplate Reader is a multi-detection instrument with a 6-
well to 384-well plate read capability.
The instrument uses a paired monochromator and xenon flash lamp for absorbance reads
allowing for optimization of wavelengths between 200 nm and 1000 nm. The Fluorescence
mode is powered by a xenon flash lamp and highly selective filter cubes. The flash lamp offers
broad spectrum light that can be used with the available filter cubes to deliver optimal excitation
and emission light to and from the sample. The optics focus the light into the sample volume,
and cutoff filters reduce stray light and minimize background interference. Luminescence
readings are also possible with the luminescence cube. You can vary the integration time of the
read to optimize the sensitivity or read speed of your assays.
The instrument dynamic range for fluorescence detection is from 10
-6
to 10
-12
molar fluorescein.
Internal compensation for detector sensitivity, photomultiplier tube voltage and sensitivity, as
well as excitation intensity, provides a wide dynamic range without PMT gain adjustment. The
photometric range for absorbance detection is 0–4 ODs with a resolution of 0.001 OD.
The flexibility and high sensitivity makes this instrument appropriate for applications in the fields
of biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, and microbiology. Typical
applications include ELISA, nucleic acid and protein quantination, enzyme assays, microbial
growth, and pipettor calibration.
Read modes include:
Absorbance Read Mode on page 27
Fluorescence Intensity Read Mode on page 30
Luminescence Read Mode on page 32
The instrument ships with one or more filter cubes, and your filter cube configuration
determines which combination of read modes are available.
Absorbance and Luminescence
Absorbance and Fluorescence
Absorbance, Luminescence, and Fluorescence
Read types include: See
.
Endpoint
Kinetic
Spectrum (Absorbance reads only)
Well Scan
1
