Microplate spectrophotometer

A microplate spectrophotometer is a piece of equipment capable of detecting and quantifying the photons absorbed/transmitted by a liquid sample present in a microplate, when exposed to light at a specific wavelength.

As opposed to fluorescence and luminescence, absorbance detection is an absolute measurement quantified in Optical Densities (ODs). OD is defined as the logarithmic ratio between the intensity of light hitting a probe and the intensity of the light transmitted through it (i.e., absorbed light). Alternatively, transmission, the portion of photons that passes the sample, can also be used.

Microplate spectrophotometers (also called absorbance microplate readers) are used for UV/vis absorbance measurements in various fields, such as academic life science research, drug discovery and screening, clinical laboratories, synthetic biology and food or water quality monitoring.

Incorporating sophisticated molecular devices, microplate spectrophotometers enhance assay capabilities, making them indispensable tools in modern laboratories for various applications. Compared to a standard spectrophotometer that measures one probe at a time in a cuvette, a microplate spectrophotometer can measure the same absorbance assay with higher throughput. Basic absorbance readers are typically compatible with 96-well microplates (absorbance 96 plate readers). High-end instruments can measure 384-well plates or even 1536-well plates.

What is a microplate spectrophotometer?

A microplate spectrophotometer is quite a complex instrument, optically speaking. To measure absorbance, these instruments require an optical system that includes an excitation light source, optics for the selection of the incoming wavelengths, a detector, and a reference channel.

The sample is illuminated by light with a specific intensity. The total intensity the sample is exposed to is assessed by a reference channel measured upfront. The detector is located on the opposite side of the microplate relative to the light source. It measures how much of the total intensity is transmitted through the sample and at which wavelengths. Photons that do not pass through to the detector are absorbed.

The measured amount of transmitted light can be typically used to calculate the concentration of a molecule of interest, since the amount of absorbed photons relates to its concentration (Beer-Lambert law). Alternatively, a standard curve and wells of unknown concentrations can be used. This way nucleic acids, proteins and specific molecules (via ELISA) can be quantified.

Microplate readers are available as stand alone, dedicated readers or, as part of multi-mode microplate readers, when combined to fluorescence intensity and/or luminescence detection.

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If you are on the market for a new reader, either a dedicated absorbance or a multi-mode plate reader (e.g., with fluorescence and luminescence), there are a few factors to consider. In fact, the performance of the instrument can significantly affect the quality of your research data.

Wavelength selection

The capability to select wavelengths is mandatory for a microplate spectrophotometer and is dependent on the type of detectors that are used.

Two different types of detectors are commonly used: PhotoMultiplier Tubes (PMTs) or Charge Coupled Device (CCD) spectrometers.

PMT-based microplate spectrophotometers require an optical filter or monochromator-based optics between light source and sample. Filter-based optics or monochromators can be used to select the light before it is sent to the probe. This way, only light signals at a desired wavelength is transmitted through, reaches the PMT, and is quantified.

For spectral scanning, PMT-based microplate spectrophotometers require a monochromator. This selects the desired wavelength range and measures it sequentially upon mechanical movement. For multiple discrete measurements, different filters or a monochromator scan are required.

CCD-spectrometer based microplate spectrophotometers do not require a selecting tool. The whole wavelength range transmitted through the probe is acquired and separated simultaneously by the CCD detector, as opposed to a monochromator. This way, spectra, single, or multiple discrete wavelengths can be acquired in a short amount of time. Unlike in monochromators, no mechanical scanning is required.

If your application needs spectral acquisition, CCD spectrometers are significantly faster than monochromator-based laboratory instruments, as mechanical spectral scanning is not required.

Our single-mode and multi-mode readers are equipped with a UV/vis spectrometer for absorbance measurements. This captures a full-range spectrum from 220 to 1000 nm in less than a second/well.

Compatible microplate formats

Commonly, in life science applications, basic absorbance assays like ELISA are measured in 96 well microplates. However, if you have multiple samples and wish to use small volumes (10-50 µL) to save precious reagents or time, 384 and 1536 well plates can also be used. Just make sure that your microplate spectrophotometer of choice is also capable of reading the microplate format you plan on using.

Shaking and incubation

When looking for a microplate spectrophotometer, you should consider the nature of your research and of the applications you want to run. Generally, shaking and incubation are two important features. Incubation is critically important when running enzymatic assays at stable temperatures, e.g., 37° C. Multiple shaking options allow a proper mixing. For applications like cell growth in bacteria or yeast (OD₆₀₀), plate shaking is crucial for a good oxygenation and consequent fast cell replication.

Compatibility with cuvettes

Traditionally, absorbance measurements were performed in cuvettes with a normalised optical pathlength of 1 cm. In microplates, the path length changes dependent on volume and plate format. If aqueous solutions are measured, the microplate measurement can be normalised by using the water-peak path length correction. If you still occasionally require measuring in cuvettes, make sure that the microplate spectrophotometer of choice has either an integrated cuvette port, or plate adapters for measuring cuvettes horizontally like the LVis Plate.

Software for data reduction

Generally, the software that runs the microplate reader is a very underestimated part of the package. For some readers, the software only controls the measurement process and provides a raw data output. In other cases, it can also perform complex data analysis.

A comprehensive, easy-to-use and flexible software can make life easier, simplify detection and data analysis so that you can get the most out of your reader.

The must-have features a data analysis software should include are automatic blank subtraction, automatic calculation of concentrations based on standard curves for ELISA assays or on the Beer-Lambert law, 260/280 ratios, path length corrections, and enzymatic constants such as K_m and V_max.

On the BMG LABTECH software package, the most common assays have predefined quick-run protocols and dedicated analysis templates. Through these dedicated solutions, acquisition and analysis are performed with a single mouse click, enabling researchers to carry out experiments quickly and easily.

Our microplate spectrophotometers

Absorbance detection can be performed on the multi-mode microplate readers PHERAstar FSX, CLARIOstar Plus, VANTAstar^TM, FLUOstar and SPECTROstar Omega, and on the single-mode SPECTROstar Nano plate readers.

All our microplate spectrophotometers readers are equipped with a high-intensity xenon flash lamp and CCD spectrometer.

BMG LABTECH was the first company to employ a UV-vis spectrometer for absorbance measurements. Upon illumination of the probe by a high-power xenon flash lamp, our ultra-fast UV-visible spectrometer collects the entire spectrum in one flash. A wide wavelength range from 220 to 1000 nm at a resolution of 1 – 10 nm is acquired in less than 1 second per well.

Alternatively, filter-based absorbance detection (PMT-based) is available on the FLUOstar Omega.

PHERAstar FSX

Powerful and most sensitive HTS plate reader

CLARIOstar Plus

Most flexible plate reader for assay development

VANTAstar

Flexible microplate reader with simplified workflows

Omega Series

Upgradable single and multi-mode microplate reader series

SPECTROstar Nano

Absorbance plate reader with cuvette port

Which assays can be measured by a UV/vis microplate spectrophotometer?

Absorbance is one of the most popular detection modes for life science applications and is also used in drug discovery. Accordingly, there is a multitude of kits and reagents available on the market that a microplate spectrophotometer can cover both as single- or multi-mode instrument. Several colorimetric assays have been adapted to plates or directly developed for use in a microplate reader.

One of the most common applications is DNA/RNA quantification at 260 nm. Besides nucleic acid, is also possible to quantify a specific protein in solution, typically by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Several colorimetric methods are also available for protein quantification. In our blog article “Protein measurement: find a suitable method” you will find detailed descriptions of protein quantification assays such as Bradford, BCA and tips to help you choose.

Cell viability assays are another application microplate spectophotometers can measure. These include microbial growth assays in bacteria and yeast by measuring the “optical density at 600 nm” (OD600) or cell viability by colorimetric assays.

Microplate spectrophotometers are also extensively used for enzyme kinetics, allowing researchers to monitor reaction rates and enzyme activity by measuring changes in absorbance over time.

Examples of measurements with BMG LABTECH absorbance microplate readers:

The following are examples of absorbance measurements taken on BMG LABTECH microplate readers:

See a complete list of absorbance application notes.

Why to choose a BMG LABTECH absorbance plate reader?

BMG LABTECH is specialised in producing microplate readers only and brings more than 30 years of full expertise in microplate reading technology. This knowledge gets visible in the results that our instruments deliver - the only factor that counts in your lab! Our users can trust to obtain excellent performance in sensitivity, speed and flexibility. Moreover, our single and multi-mode readers are developed to provide optimum performance for years. Our instruments are developed, produced and tested in Germany and are built to be extremely robust and reliable.

Buy only what you need
Due to their modularity, all our multimode plate readers can be equipped with different detection modes and cover a multitude of applications. Additional features can be upgraded. This gives you the chance to keep your options open even if you don’t use the full scope of your microplate reader right at the bat.

All-round service and support
We strive to provide you with the very best customer service and support. If you need customer support, we are only a phone call or email away. During business hours, you immediately speak live to a person who is happy to assist. There is no automated phone system or waiting in a queue. Our scientists, engineers and technicians are always there to help.

Multi-user software package
All our instruments come with a multi-user software package that can be installed on as many computers as users requires, without the need to purchase licenses. Software updates for our microplate readers are of no charge within the first 12 month after purchase.

Microplate spectrophotometer

Basic information about microplate spectrophotometers