Metabolism includes all chemical reactions responsible for the conversion of substances in living organisms (eukaryotes and prokaryotes). These conversions are catalysed by enzymes and enable the production, degradation, and maintenance of the biological structure of an organism as well as the generation of energy which is crucial for ensuring its functionality. Microplate readers make metabolic research more accessible than ever before.
Metabolic research aims to expand our understanding of the human body`s physiology and its metabolism. This knowledge in turn is crucial to identify and understand the origins of metabolic disorders and diseases. Identifying the cause and targets of such diseases allows the design, development and screening of new potential drugs and therapeutics for their treatment.
The investigation of metabolism requires methods which can be used to monitor enzymatic reactions as well as the levels of different metabolites. Due to their flexibility and sensitivity, microplate readers offer the perfect measurement platform for metabolic studies.
In metabolic research, enzyme activity is generally used as biomarker for investigating metabolic events or diagnose a pathological condition. Here, measuring the catalytic activity of a target enzyme of interest is also used to screen for inhibitors which can modulate its activity. Enzyme activity assays are very diverse and often require specific detection modes dependent on their readout. Examples such as the detection of tyrosine kinase activity in AlphaScreen mode or the comparison of thioredoxin activity in cortical neuron and glial cells emphasise the usability and flexibility of microplate readers for this purpose.
The detection of metabolites is another important aspect of metabolic research. Monitoring metabolite levels allows to assess their synthesis, conversion, or degradation. While classic quantification assays such as ELISAs for the detection of NADH/NADPH conversion or this HTRF assay for insulin quantification are widely used, novel techniques that allow the quantification of metabolite modifications, such as the post-translational phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38αβγ and STAT3, are getting more and more prominence.
While many of these experiments can be performed with in solution, the dedicated cell culture features of BMG LABTECH microplate readers enable the monitoring of metabolic activity in cell-based assays under more physiological conditions. Experiments such as the monitoring of insulin granule packaging in live cells or measuring of mitochondrial function and glycolytic flux, provide great examples how microplate readers can be used to investigate advanced metabolic questions. Luminescence-based assays like the Glucose-Glo or Lactate-Glo represent an easy and very sensitive approach to study glucose consumption. Others like and ROS-Glo and P450-Glo help to study the generation of reactive oxygen species in a cell-based setup or the oxidative metabolism of different chemicals.
Search our resources section for information about specific applications, literature citations, videos, blog articles and many other publications. Many of the resources provided are associated with current and previous instrument models and versions.
Acidification is an important tool of innate immune cells. Read here how the pH sensor pHrodo Red and the CLARIOstar Plus with ACU help to track phagosome acidification in real-time.
Ischemia reperfusion may increase lipid peroxidation substantially. Read here how the CLARIOstar Plus with ACU simulates physiological conditions to screen for potential inhibitors.
There are many ways to monitor ROS generation. But few are as simple, fast, and sensitive as performing Promega’s ROS-GloTM assay on BMG LABTECH’s microplate readers.
Looking for a fast, easy, and sensitive way to monitor the glucose metabolism of your cell culture? Read here how the VANTAstar offers maximum ease of use in luminescence detection.
Looking for the possibility to discriminate between antioxidant and cytotoxic effects in living cell systems? Read here how the Light Up Cell System by Antioxidant Power opens up this approach.
NOX2 plays an important role in the presentation of antigens. This application note highlights the use of a chemiluminescent probe to measure NOX2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
Learn about applications for bacterial metabolism on a microplate reader.
Energy makes life possible. But where does it come from? Cellular metabolism plays a crucial role in all living organisms as almost every cellular process requires energy.
Mitochondrial toxicity can have devastating effects on the cell and life. Find out how microplate readers can be used to assess mitochondrial health and how this impacts disease and drug discovery.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may have physiological as well as pathological effects. Here we explain what ROS are and how they can be measured on microplate readers.
Redox processes play an important role in cell homeostasis. Read here, how to monitor cellular redox changes with roGFP using the most sensitive, high-performance plate readers from BMG LABTECH.
The pH-Xtra assay is a TRF-based assay to assess extracellular acidification as a measure of glycolytic activity. Read more about the assay and its performance here.
Interested in monitoring redox changes with roGFP in real-time cell-based assays? Find out here how the CLARIOstar can support you in this.
Ryan McGarrigle from Agilent develops fluorescence-based microplate assays to measure metabolism in different cell types.
Professor David James and his talented research group are at the forefront of understanding type 2 diabetes and explains how Microplate Readers helped.
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