Molecular biology

Microplate readers advance studies of nucleic acids

Molecular biology deals with biomolecules, their structure, function, and interactions. Since the discovery and description of DNA in the 1950s, we came to understand how DNA gets first transcribed into RNA and then translated into proteins. We further understand that the genome is not the only basis for a cell’s behavior, differentiation, and pathology. Epigenetic regulation, transcription regulation and non-coding RNAs are just as important. Our microplate readers answer your questions on nucleic acids: concentration, interaction with other nucleic acids or proteins, single nucleotide polymorphisms and expression of genes.

Today, microplate reader assays are well-established tools to answer the questions that are still open. Luminescent reporter assays study gene regulation, interaction assays examine binding of nucleic acids to proteins and enzyme activity assays report on activities of polymerases or helicases.

Genomics is a multidisciplinary and essential part of modern biology.  Next generation sequencing (NGS) and SNP-genotyping are popular tools. The field is also closely associated with transcription and translation, investigating proteins and expression levels, both to directly inform studies but also as part of analysis workflows such as NGS.

Microplate reader also take measurements in preparation for PCRs and sequencing. They quantify nucleic acids in high throughput (96-1536 wells), e.g. with NextGenPCR^TM, and determine nucleic acid purity via absorbance spectra.

BMG LABTECH multi-mode microplate readers offer solutions from simple quantification devices able to quantify DNA, RNA and protein efficiently and in high throughput, up to multi-functional devices suitable for all needs: reporter assays, binding assays, enzyme assays, evaluation of transfection efficiency with reporter proteins, no matter which detection mode.