SpectraMax ABS and ABS Plus Absorbance ELISA Microplate Readers
Filterless readers provide consistent results with steady temperature regulation
The SpectraMax ABS and ABS Plus absorbance microplate readers provide the flexibility, sensitivity, and convenience for a wide range of assays such as ELISAs, microbial growth, and protein quantitation. Both readers feature an 8-channel read head for fast reads and a subset feature our patented PathCheck™ Sensor. The temperature independent PathCheck sensor automatically normalizes and ensures accurate absorbance values by detecting pipetting errors. Combined with a wide application base, industry-leading SoftMax® Pro Software and validation tools, these readers fit in every lab and every budget.
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Eliminate filters
Eliminate the need for purchasing and changing out filters with a monochromator-based wavelength selection for visible and UV-visible absorbance.
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Get consistent results
Mix samples thoroughly in microplate wells with user-programmable Automix feature and monitor temperature-sensitive reactions with consistent temperature regulation from ambient to 45°C.
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Integrate with ease
Integrate seamlessly with StakMax® Microplate Stacker within minutes. Integrate with all leading partner robots and with our out-of-the-box automation solution.
SpectraMax ABS Plus Feature Demonstration
Features
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Pipetting errors eliminated
This reader utilizes Molecular Devices' patented PathCheck® Sensor to measure the depth (optical pathlength) of samples in a microplate. It also allows for the elimination of standard curves.
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Optimized optical path
The reader’s unique quartz fiber optic system minimizes stray light for precise readings across a microplate. The spectral resolution ensures accuracy of DNA absorbance measurements.
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Eight-channel optics
The optical design of the reader mimics a dual-beam spectrophotometer. Each well has its own sample beam and reference detector. The eight-channel system delivers both precision and speed across the microplate.
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Dual wavelength reads
The reader delivers high performance with round-bottom, flat-bottom or half-area well plates. Dual wavelength readings report the actual absorbance at each wavelength making data analysis convenient.
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Flexibility to read a variety of plate formats
SpectraMax® Absorbance Microplate Readers can run both cuvette-based and microplate reader applications on the same instrument. Read one sample or up to 384 in a single plate read using any standard cuvette, or 96- or 384-well microplate.
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Validation made easy
Verify the accuracy of your absorbance measurements with the SpectraTest® ABS1 Absorbance Validation Plate, using NIST-traceable standards. Testing can be done in your own lab, on your own schedule.
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Application Note
Effect of Microplate materials on UV Absorbance Measurements
Effect of Microplate materials on UV Absorbance Measurements
Microplates used for absorbance measurements are commonly made of polystyrene, cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), or quartz.
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Application Note
Quantifying gluten in beer using an ASBC-approved ELISA method
Quantifying gluten in beer using an ASBC-approved ELISA method
With the recent rise in the prevalence of celiac disease, monitoring gluten levels in food and beverage has become increasingly important as more people strive to avoid gluten.
Applications of SpectraMax ABS and ABS Plus Absorbance ELISA Microplate Readers
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Cell Viability
Cell viability can be assessed by examining parameters such as cell membrane integrity or the activity of cellular enzymes. On a microplate readers, these parameters can be detected using fluorescent reagents. For example, a red cell-impermeant, DNA-binding dye only stains dead or dying cells whose membranes are compromised, while a green live-cell dye only fluoresces when metabolic enzymes are active.
Cell Viability
Cell viability can be assessed by examining parameters such as cell membrane integrity or the activity of cellular enzymes. On a microplate readers, these parameters can be detected using fluorescent reagents. For example, a red cell-impermeant, DNA-binding dye only stains dead or dying cells whose membranes are compromised, while a green live-cell dye only fluoresces when metabolic enzymes are active.
ELISA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are used to measure the amount of a specific protein, typically in a microplate format, and results are most often detected via absorbance in the visible wavelength range. Chemiluminescent and fluorescent ELISA formats offer enhanced sensitivity for accurate quantitation of less abundant analytes.
ELISA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are used to measure the amount of a specific protein, typically in a microplate format, and results are most often detected via absorbance in the visible wavelength range. Chemiluminescent and fluorescent ELISA formats offer enhanced sensitivity for accurate quantitation of less abundant analytes.
Specifications & Options of SpectraMax ABS and ABS Plus Absorbance ELISA Microplate Readers
*Using lowest settings and speed read when available.
**Only available on SpectraMax ABS Plus.
Resources of SpectraMax ABS and ABS Plus Absorbance ELISA Microplate Readers
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Application Note
Effect of Microplate materials on UV Absorbance Measurements
Effect of Microplate materials on UV Absorbance Measurements
Microplates used for absorbance measurements are commonly made of polystyrene, cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), or quartz.
-
Application Note
Quantifying gluten in beer using an ASBC-approved ELISA method
Quantifying gluten in beer using an ASBC-approved ELISA method
With the recent rise in the prevalence of celiac disease, monitoring gluten levels in food and beverage has become increasingly important as more people strive to avoid gluten.
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Application Note
Measure total protein in cell lysates with SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader
Measure total protein in cell lysates with SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader
Quantification of protein concentrations from cell lysates is a key step for many downstream applications, such as western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).
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Application Note
Quantitate interleukin-8 concentrations on the SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader with the SimpleStep ELISA kit
Quantitate interleukin-8 concentrations on the SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader with the SimpleStep ELISA kit
Learn how to run the Human IL-8 SimpleStep ELISA on the SpectraMax® ABS Plus Microplate Reader using a convenient preconfigured protocol.
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Application Note
Low-volume, high-throughput DNA and protein detection on the SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader
Low-volume, high-throughput DNA and protein detection on the SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader
Nucleic acid and protein quantitation are essential measurements upstream of many sophisticated assays in genetics and molecular biology. Various methods have been developed to…
Data Sheet
SpectraMax ABS and ABS Plus Microplate Readers
SpectraMax ABS and ABS Plus Microplate Readers
The SpectraMax® ABS Microplate Reader bridges the gap between the affordability of filter-based readers and the flexibility of monochromator-based systems.The SpectraMax® ABS Plus Micro…
eBook
Streamline beer, wine, and food quality control and safety analyses
Streamline beer, wine, and food quality control and safety analyses
Absorbance microplate readers are widely used in research, drug discovery, bioassay validation, quality control, and manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical, biotech, food and bev…
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Application Note
Monitor for endotoxin with the SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader
Monitor for endotoxin with the SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader
Monitoring for contaminants is a critical step during the production process in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
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Application Note
Determine total aflatoxin in cannabis using an ELISA method
Determine total aflatoxin in cannabis using an ELISA method
As cannabis is legalized in more states across the US, state agencies are setting their own regulations and requirements for growers, retailers, and testing laboratories. For example,…
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Application Note
Assess cell viability and proliferation with colorimetric readouts
Assess cell viability and proliferation with colorimetric readouts
Learn how absorbance microplate reader provides a colorimetric readouts for cell viability or proliferation.
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Application Note
DNA and RNA absorbance measurements using SpectraMax Microplate Readers
DNA and RNA absorbance measurements using SpectraMax Microplate Readers
Ultraviolet (UV) measurements in microplates became possible when Molecular Devices introduced the first UV-capable microplate reader. Since then, microplate measurements of DNA, RNA,…
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Application Note
High-throughput melamine detection with Romer Labs AgraQuant Melamine Assays and Molecular Devices Absorbance readers
High-throughput melamine detection with Romer Labs AgraQuant Melamine Assays and Molecular Devices Absorbance readers
The organic base melamine is used to make a number of products, including plastics, flame retardants, pigments, and fertilizers. The practice of adding melamine to animal feed and…
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Application Note
Optical density measurements automatically corrected to a 1-cm pathlength with PathCheck Technology
Optical density measurements automatically corrected to a 1-cm pathlength with PathCheck Technology
UV/VIS spectrophotometers and microplate readers differ fundamentally in their beam geometry. In spectrophotometers, samples are read through cuvettes or tubes with a horizontal (cross…
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Application Note
Microplate-based endotoxin testing in GLP/GMP environments using a colorimetric assay
Microplate-based endotoxin testing in GLP/GMP environments using a colorimetric assay
Monitoring for contaminants is a critical step during the production process in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. A frequent contaminant, endotoxin, can cause fever,…
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Application Note
PathCheck applied to measurement of protein solutions in the SPECTRAmax® PLUS microplate spectrophotometer
PathCheck applied to measurement of protein solutions in the SPECTRAmax® PLUS microplate spectrophotometer
Protein concentration is commonly estimated by measuring the absorbance at 280
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Application Note
Phenolic compounds measurement in red wines using the SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader
Phenolic compounds measurement in red wines using the SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader
Measurement of tannin, iron-reactive phenolics, anthocyanin and polymeric pigment in red wine is an important part of quality control in the wine industry. Precise and reliable…
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Application Note
The PathCheck Sensor: a Powerful Tool for Microplate Analyses
The PathCheck Sensor: a Powerful Tool for Microplate Analyses
The fundamental difference between absorbance measured in a microplate compared to a cuvette is the optical beam configuration. In a cuvette, the optical beam is horizontal and the…
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Application Note
High-throughput melamine detection with Beacon Analytical Systems Melamine Plate Kit and Molecular Devices Absorbance readers
High-throughput melamine detection with Beacon Analytical Systems Melamine Plate Kit and Molecular Devices Absorbance readers
The organic base melamine is used to make a number of products, including plastics, flame retardants, pigments, and fertilizers. The practice of adding melamine to animal feed and…
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Application Note
Residual sugar measurement in wine using the SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader
Residual sugar measurement in wine using the SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader
Analysis of malic acid, residual sugar, volatile acidity and ammonia is very important in quality control during wine production. Enzymatic assays carried out in microplate format are…
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Application Note
L-malic acid measurement in wines using the SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader
L-malic acid measurement in wines using the SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader
Analysis of malic acid, residual sugar, volatile acidity and ammonia is very important for quality control during wine production. Enzymatic assays carried out in microplate format are…
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Application Note
High-throughput melamine detection with Abraxis Melamine ELISA Kit and Molecular Devices Absorbance readers
High-throughput melamine detection with Abraxis Melamine ELISA Kit and Molecular Devices Absorbance readers
The organic base melamine is used to make a number of products, including plastics, flame retardants, pigments, and fertilizers. The practice of adding melamine to animal feed and…
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Data Sheet
SpectraTest Instrument Validation Packages
SpectraTest Instrument Validation Packages
Keep your instruments in excellent condition by using Molecular Devices SpectraTest Validation plates to ensure consistent data acquistion from Molecular Devices microplate readers.
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Data Sheet
SpectraDrop Micro-Volume Microplate
SpectraDrop Micro-Volume Microplate
Learn how SpectraDrop Micro-Volume Microplate can be used to quantitate low volumes of DNA, RNA, and protein when combined with Molecular Devices' absorbance microplate readers.
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Data Sheet
VersaMax Microplate Reader
VersaMax Microplate Reader
Learn how Molecular Devices’ VersaMax Microplate Reader provides an affordable, tunable filter-based microplate reader for monochromator-based systems.
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Data Sheet
SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader
SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader
Learn more about the SpectraMax Plus 384 microplate reader and how it can be used to test a breadth of applications with full spectral range.
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Data Sheet
SpectraMax 340PC384 Microplate Reader
SpectraMax 340PC384 Microplate Reader
Discover how the SpectraMax® 340PC384 Reader can be used in various absorbance-based applications by being able to accurately measure absorbance in the visible range.
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Data Sheet
SpectraMax 190 Microplate Reader
SpectraMax 190 Microplate Reader
Learn how the SpectraMax 190 Microplate Reader, a high-performance UV-Vis spectrophotometer can be used for various life science applications.
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eBook
Streamline absorbance assays for nucleic acid & protein quantitation
Streamline absorbance assays for nucleic acid & protein quantitation
Absorbance microplate readers are widely used in basic research, drug discovery, bioassay validation, quality control, and manufacturing processes in pharmaceutical, biotech, food and b…
Flyer
SpectraMax ABS Absorbance Microplate Reader Capabilities
SpectraMax ABS Absorbance Microplate Reader Capabilities
Learn more about the features and benefits of the SpectraMax ABS Absorbance Microplate Reader, including a table of compatible applications.
Brochure
SoftMax Pro 7 Data Acquisition and Analysis Software
SoftMax Pro 7 Data Acquisition and Analysis Software
Learn how SoftMax Pro 7 Data Acquisition Software provides a new data analysis features, while keeping its intuitive layout.
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Brochure
Innovative Solutions for Drug Discovery and Life Sciences Research
Innovative Solutions for Drug Discovery and Life Sciences Research
Molecular Devices is a leading provider of high-performance bioanalytical measurement solutions for life science research, pharmaceutical development, and biotherapeutic discovery. Our…
Videos and Demos
SpectraMax ABS and ABS Plus Absorbance Microplate Readers
SpectraMax ABS Plus Feature Demonstration
Absorbance Microplate Readers
SpectraMax® ABS Plus Microplate Reader
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Product |
Part Number |
| SpectraMax ABS Plus Microplate Reader with SoftMax Pro Software | ABS PLUS |
| SpectraTest ABS1 Absorbance Validation Plate | 0200-6117 |
| StakMax Microplate Handling Stacker | StakMax |
| Quartz 96-well microplate for UV measurements | R8024 |
| SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume Microplate Starter Kit | 0200-6262 |
| SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume Microplate HTS Kit | 0200-6267 |
| Cuvette Validation Set | 0200-2420 |
SpectraMax® ABS Microplate Reader
| Product | Part Number |
| SpectraMax ABS Microplate Reader with SoftMax Pro Software | ABS |
| SpectraTest ABS1 Absorbance Validation Plate | 0200-6117 |
| StakMax Microplate Handling Stacker | StakMax |
| SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume Microplate Starter Kit | 0200-6262 |
SpectraMax® 340PC384 Microplate Reader
|
Product |
Part Number |
| 340PC384 Microplate Reader | 340PC 384 |
| SpectraTest ABS1 Absorbance Validation Plate | 0200-6117 |
| StakMax Microplate Handling Stacker | StakMax |
| Microplate Reader Shelf | 9000-0756 |
SpectraMax® Plus 384 Microplate Reader
| Product | Part Number |
| SpectraMax Plus 384 Microplate Reader | PLUS 384 |
| SpectraTest ABS1 Absorbance Validation Plate | 0200-6117 |
| StakMax Microplate Handling Stacker | StakMax |
| Quartz 96-well microplate for UV measurements | R8024 |
| SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume Microplate Starter Kit | 0200-6262 |
| SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume Microplate HTS Kit | 0200-6267 |
| Cuvette Validation Set | 0200-2420 |
| Microplate Reader Shelf | 9000-0756 |
SpectraMax® 190 Microplate Reader
|
Product |
Product Number |
| SpectraMax 190 Microplate Reader with SoftMax Pro Software | 190 |
| SpectraTest ABS1 Absorbance Validation Plate | 0200-6117 |
| Quartz 96-well Microplate for UV Measurements | R8024 |
| SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume Microplate Starter Kit | 0200-6262 |
| SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume Microplate HTS Kit | 0200-6267 |
| StakMax Microplate Handling Stacker | StakMax |
| Microplate Reader Shelf | 9000-0756 |
VersaMax™ ELISA Microplate Reader
|
Product |
Part Number |
| VersaMax ELISA Microplate Reader | VERSAMAX |
| SpectraTest ABS1 Absorbance Validation Plate | 0200-6117 |
| StakMax Microplate Handling Stacker | StakMax |
| Microplate Reader Shelf | 9000-0756 |