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SpectraMax M5 / M5e is a dual-monochromator, multi-detection microplate reader with a
triple-mode cuvette port and 6-384
microplate reading capability. Detection modalities include absorbance (UV-Vis), fluorescence intensity (FI),
fluorescence polarization (FP), time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) and luminescence (Lum). The optical performance is
comparable to a top-of-the-line dedicated spectrophotometer or spectrofluorometer with no trade-off between instrument
performance and the number of read modes.
The M5e offers the additional benefit of being certified for the Cisbio HTRF assay.
Endpoint, kinetic, spectrum and area-well scanning read types and Molecular Devices' PathCheck® Sensor allow
homogeneous and heterogeneous biochemical- or cell-based microplate assays to be performed in one flexible system.
The SpectraMax M5 / M5e allows easy conversion and optimization of very-low-throughput
to medium-high-throughput assays,
faster, more precise results and reagent savings. In addition, assays requiring a read in two or more modes can be
combined and run by issuing a single command.
Dual Monochromators
With the SpectraMax M5 / M5e, 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
clicks to optimize the system.
Patented PathCheck Sensor
PathCheck 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 you
to eliminate standard curves and, for compounds with a known absorptivity, concentration can be calculated directly
from absorbance.
Superior Optics
The optics in SpectraMax M5 / M5e are designed to give you optimal assay performance.
The reference diodes enable elimination
of measurement noise due to slight fluctuations in excitation light intensity. The angled emission beam improves
signal-to-noise, especially in narrow Stokes shift fluorophores, by reducing stray light. Elliptical mirrors are used
instead of lenses for maximum transmission with minimal wavelength distortion. Top-quality UV-grade fibers give the
highest light transmission down to even the lowest wavelengths.
Figure 1. Five-mode microplate reading with superior optics.
applications
DNA/RNA/protein quantitation and purity
PicoGreen®/NanoOrange™/Bradford assay
ELISAs/enzyme kinetics ( Km,Ki, etc.)
Drug dissolution profiles
Live/Dead® Viability/cytotoxicity assays
Caspase-3 and protease assays
CatchPoint® cAMP assays
IMAP® kinase assays
Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence
Green fluorescent protein
FRET and TR-FRET assays
HTRF assays (M5e only)
ADME-Tox assays
Lipophilicity assays
Human Serum Albumin binding assays
Permeability assays (PAMPA)
Solubility assays
FluoroBlok™ cell migration assays
Delfia® assays
Early ADME Compound Profiling Assays
SpectraMax microplate readers are ideal for increased throughput of early ADME compound profiling assays
such as the Transil® Membrane Affinity assay and
Transil® Human Serum Albumin Binding assay. The
Membrane Affinity assay provides high-throughput lipophilicity data equivalent to liposome-based methods
without the need for ultracentrifugation. The Human Serum Albumin Binding assay provides high-throughput
blood protein binding data by measuring the fraction bound to Human Serum Albumin.
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.
Instrument & Software Validation
The SpectraTest® ABS1 absorbance and 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.
robotics compatibility
SpectraMax microplate readers are the number one choice in microplate readers by our
robotic partners. The plate carriage design has no springs or clamps, and its
robotic communication interface makes integrating custom applications on the SpectraMax M5 / M5e straightforward.
The SynchroMax™ ET plate handler from Molecular Devices can be added to
increase the capacity to 320 microplates.
Specifications*
general photometric performance
Plate Formats
6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 384 wells
Light Source
Xenon Flash Lamp, (1 joule/flash)
Detectors
2 photomultiplier tubes
ShakerTime
0 to 999 seconds
Temperature Control
4 °C above ambient to 60 °C
Temperature Uniformity
< 1°C at 37°C set point
Temperature Accuracy
+1°C at 37°C set point
Endpoint Reading
All modes
Kinetic Reading
All modes
Spectral Scanning
All modes
Well Scanning
Abs, FI, TRF, Lum
absorbance photometric performance
Reading Capabilities
Cuvette or microplate
Wavelength Range
200-1000 nm
Wavelength Selection
Monochromator, tunable in 1.0 nm increments
Wavelength Bandwidth
< 4.0 nm
Wavelength Accuracy
±2.0 nm
Wavelength Repeatability
±0.2 nm
Photometric Range
0-4.0 OD
Photometric Resolution
0.001 OD
Photometric Accuracy (Microplate)
< ±0.006 OD ±1.0%, 0-2 OD
Photometric Accuracy (Cuvette)
< ±0.005 OD ±1.0%, 0-2 OD
Photometric Precision
< ±0.003 OD ±1.0%, 0-2 OD
Stray Light
< 0.05% @ 230 nm
fluorescence intensity performance
Reading Capabilities
Cuvette or top or bottom of a microplate
Wavelength Range
250-850 nm
Wavelength Selection
Monochromators, tunable in 1.0 nm increments
Bandwidth (Ex, Em)
9 nm, 15 nm
Sensitivity
< 5 pM fluorescein in 96 wells or cuvette, < 20 pM in 384 wells
fluorescence polarization performance
Wavelength Range
400-750 nm
Wavelength Selection
Monochromators, tunable in 1.0 nm increments
Bandwidth (Ex, Em)
9 nm, 15 nm
Precision
< 5 mP standard deviation at 1 nM fluorescein in 96 and 384 wells
time-resolved fluorescence performance
Reading Capabilities
Top or bottom of a microplate
Wavelength Range
280-850 nm
Wavelength Selection
Monochromators, tunable in 1.0 nm increments
Bandwidth (Ex, Em)
9 nm, 15 nm
Precision Data Collectionn
1-100 flashes, delay of 0-600 µsec before read, integration time selectable between 50-1500 µsec
Sensitivity
100 fM europium in 96 or 384 wells with top-read
luminescence performance
Reading Capabilities
Cuvette or top or bottom of a microplate
Wavelength Selection
All wavelengths or with selected wavelengths
Wavelength Range
250-850 nm
Sensitivity
< 2 fg/well lower detection limit for firefly luciferase in 96- and 384-well top read
Cross-talk
< 0.5% in 96- and 384-well microplates
typical read times (min:sec)††
96 wells
384 wells
Absorbance
0:18
0:49
Fluorescence Intensity
0:17
0:48
Fluorescence Polarization
0:42
2:03
Time-Resolved Fluorescence
0:17
0:48
Luminescence
2:00
7:00
general specifications
Dimensions (in.)
8.6 (H) x 22.8 (W) x 15.3 (D)
Dimensions (cm)
22 (H) x 58 (W) x 39 (D)
Weight
36 lbs (16.4 kg)
Read Time** 96-well 384-well
Abs 18 sec., FI 15 sec. Abs 49 sec., FI 45 sec.
Power Consumption
< 420 watts
Power Source
100-240 VAC, 3 A, 50/60 Hz
Robotic Compatible
Yes
*Specifications subject to change.
† US Patent Nos. 5,959,738 6,188,476 6,320,662 6,339,472 6,404,501, 6,496,260.
†† With 3 flashes/well in absorbance and fluorescence modes, and 1 sec/well integration in luminescence.
