SpectraMax M2 / M2e Microplate Readers

Multi-Detection Readers with Dual-Mode Cuvette Port

Features

• Multi-detection capability
• Top- and bottom-read (M2e only)
• Dual-mode cuvette port
• Dual monochromators
• PathCheck® and well volume sensors
• Instrument and software validation
• Robot compatible

SpectraMax M2 and SpectraMax M2e from Molecular Devices are multi- detection microplate readers with dual-monochromators, dual-mode cuvette ports and top- and bottom-reading capability (top-reading only on SpectraMax M2). Detection modalities include absorbance (UV-Vis Abs) and fluorescence intensity (FI). The systems have optical performance comparable to a top-of-the-line dedicated spectrophotometer or spectrofluorometer and can read 6- to 384-well microplates. Endpoint, kinetic, spectrum and area-well scanning read types and the Molecular Devices PathCheck Sensor allow homogeneous and heterogeneous microplate assays to be performed in one flexible system. SpectraMax M2 readers provide for easy conversion and optimization of very-low-throughput to medium-high-throughput assays, faster, more precise results and reagent savings. In addition, combined absorbance and fluorescence intensity assays can be run by issuing a single read command.

Dual Monochromators

With SpectraMax M2 / M2e, there is no need for expensive filters. The system uses two scanning monochromators to determine optimal excitation and emission settings. Changing methods or fluorophores requires only a few mouse selections to optimize the system.

Patented PathCheck Sensor

The PathCheck Sensor is the only patented† technology available that measures the depth (optical pathlength) of samples in a microplate. With SoftMax® Pro software, it can automatically normalize the well absorbance to a cuvette equivalent pathlength of 1 cm—similar to using 96 or 384 cuvettes simultaneously. PathCheck allows standard curves to be eliminated and, for compounds with a known extinction coefficient, concentration can be calculated directly from absorbance.

		Figure 1. Best performance by design. The SpectraMax M2 optical system design provides performance similar to a dedicated spectrofluorometer or spectrophotometer and is the only optical system that has integrated a dual-mode cuvette port and microplate reading.

Applications

• DNA / RNA / protein quantitation and purity
• PicoGreen® / NanoOrange™ / Bradford
• ELISAs / enzyme kinetics (i.e., K_m, K_i, etc.)
• Drug dissolution profiles
• Live/Dead® Viability / cytotoxicity assays
• Caspase-3 and protease assays
• CatchPoint® cAMP assays

Comprehensive Data Analysis

SoftMax Pro software provides data acquisition, analysis and management capabilities, allowing cross-plate analysis and custom calculations. There is no need to export data to a spreadsheet program.

		Figure 2. Custom data collection and analysis. With SoftMax Pro software, choose endpoint, kinetic, spectral scan or well scan; view kinetic and spectrum runs in real time; collect and store data from multiple microplates, cuvettes, graphs, analysis tables and notes sections in the same data file.

Instrument and Software Validation

The SpectraTest™ ABS1 absorbance and SpectraTest FL1 fluorescence validation packages allow validation of optical characteristics. The SoftMax Pro Software Validation Package and IQ/OQ/PQ validation protocols provide tools for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.

Robot Compatibility

SpectraMax microplate readers are the number one choice of our robotic partners. The plate carriage design has no springs or clamps, and its robotic communication interface makes integrating custom applications straightforward.

Specifications

Download the SpectraMax M2 / M2e datasheet from the right-menu Literature link to get the full specifications.

† US Patent Nos. 5,959,738 6,188,476 6,320,662 6,339,472 6,404,501, 6,496,260.