Gemini XPS

Microplate Spectrofluorometer

 
The Gemini XPS spectrofluorometer allows for fast, high-sensitivity measurements as required by most of today's fluorescence-based assays. Cellular and molecular binding studies, DNA quantitation, drug screening, and SNP genotyping analysis all require a high degree of sensitivity. The Gemini XPS system offers a flexible, filter-free environment allowing the determination of optimal excitation and emission settings in 1.0 nm increments providing the best level of sensitivity for variable assay conditions.

applications

• Cellular and molecular binding studies
• Nucleic acid quantitation
• Cytoxicity assays
• SNP genotype detection and molecular beacons
• Enzyme activity
• CatchPoint® cAMP Assay Kit

features

• Dual Monochromators—The right pair of excitation and emission wavelengths is always available because the dual monochromators allow the selection of any wavelength in 1 nm increments. New fluorophores can easily be evaluated without purchasing additional filters.
• Wavelength Scanning—The most sensitive results are achieved by using optimal excitation and emission wavelengths. Literature wavelengths are often based on results from wavelength-limited, filter-based readers. Wavelength scanning ensures that the most sensitive assay conditions are used.
• Well Scanning—Gemini XPS can report a single point from the well center, or multiple data points from large well tissue culture plates. This provides high sensitivity for cell-based assays.
• Auto PMT Gain—Because a single microplate often presents a range of fluorescence intensities greater than three orders of magnitude, Gemini XPS features “Auto PMT Gain” to avoid saturating the photomultiplier tube. The signal is calibrated against an internal standard, so the reported RFU values of individual samples can be accurately compared.

SpectraTest FL1 Optical Validation Package

Qualify the fluorescence performance of the Gemini EM and Gemini XPS readers, by testing the specifications that are absolutely critical to compliance. Twelve different automated tests are provided.

SoftMax Pro® software, included with every Gemini XPS

SoftMax Pro allows you to select excitation and emission values from the literature and simply input their values for the monochromator settings. If you don't know the recommended wavelengths for the fluorophore of interest, you can easily scan both excitation and emission spectra and determine the optimal settings. It really is that easy.

No hardware changes of any kind are required to change modes of operation from standard fluorescence to luminescence or well-scanning. All you have to do is make the selection in SoftMax Pro software with the click of a mouse.

engineered for superior performance and reliability

		Figure 1. Gemini XPS optics diagram.

Gemini's dual monochromator design — an excitation monochromator (A) and emission monochromator (B) — allows user-defined variable wavelength settings. A high-powered xenon flash lamp (C) maximizes excitation energy. It sends light through a movable scanning grating (D) which selects the desired excitation wavelength. The light is passed through 1 mm fiber optic bundles (E) to elliptical focusing mirrors (F) that maximize light collection efficiency for superior sensitivity and send the beam to a microplate well (G). If fluorescent molecules are present, the light of the emission wavelength is emitted back out to focusing mirrors (H) that direct the light through 4 mm fiber optic bundles (J) to the emission scanning grating (K). The desired wavelength of light is then detected by the photomultiplier tube, or PMT (L). The PMT passes the fluorescence signal through the Gemini's electronics, creating the signals that result in data points collected by SoftMax Pro software.

Specifications**

general specifications
Dimensions (in.)	8.6 (H) x 22.8 (W) x 15 (D)
Dimensions (cm)	22 (H) x 58 (W) x 38 (D)
Weight	35 lbs. (15.9 kg)
Power Consumption	< 125 watts
Power Source	100-240 VAC, 3 A, 50/60 Hz
Robotic Compatible	Yes
fluorescence photometric performance
Dual Monochromators	1 nm increment selection
EX Wavelength	250-850 nm
EM Wavelength	360-850 nm
Bandwidth (Excitation & Emission)	9 nm
Detection Limit (Signal 3X SD of Baseline)	3.0 fmol/well FITC 200 µl in 96 wells
TRF (secondary mode)
Wavelength Range	360-850 nm
Data Collection	50-1450 µsec, 200 µsec increments
Sensitivity	0.5 fmol/well Eu-chelate (obtained with DELFIA® reagent from Perkin Elmer by using a 384-well plate)
luminescence (secondary performance)
Detection Limit	10 amol/well alkaline phosphatase 200 µl/well (obtained with Emerald II™ reagent from Applied Biosystems)
general photometric performance
Microplate Formats	6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well
Light Source	Xenon flash lamp (1 joule/flash)
Detector	Photomultiplier (R-3896)
Read Time***	96 wells in < 15 seconds 384 wells in < 45 seconds
Shaker Time	0 to 999 seconds
Temperature Control (Chamber)	Ambient + 4 °C, to 45 °C

*U.S. Patent Number 5,959,738; 6,232,608B1; 6,236,456B1;6,313,471B1; and 6,316,774B1.
**Specifications subject to change.
***measurement type may extend read time

FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES.