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SoftMax Pro Software
The most published microplate reader control and data analysis software
Preconfigured protocols and custom assay workflows simplify microplate data acquisition and analysis
SoftMax® Pro Software for Windows 10 is designed to provide the simplicity, flexibility and power required for advanced data analysis. It provides ready-to-run protocols, analysis algorithms, and 21 different curve fit options. Every step is optimized for data acquired from a Molecular Devices microplate reader or data imported from another source to simplify analysis and reporting. Compliance tools are available for regulated laboratories providing end-to-end chain of custody.
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Simplify data measurement
The software offers a variety of options to initiate the measurement of a microplate assay through prewritten protocols with included acquisition settings or by setting custom experiment parameters.
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Import and analyze complex data
Import raw data in microplate format acquired from any scientific instrument, consolidate data reduction from diverse data sources, and reduce errors with consistent data evaluation methods.
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Publish like a pro
The software includes tools to publish reports with flexible data output formats. Data can be viewed in a lab notebook layout, saved as a PDF file, exported to an Excel file or to XML for LIMS integration.

SoftMax Pro 7 Software
Features
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Built-in protocols
Use over 160 protocols with preconfigured assay parameters for a wide variety of common assays including protocols for our entire suite of reagents, SpectraTest® Validation Plates, and adapter plates.
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Advanced reader control
Build custom assay workflow, run multitask kinetics, and pause and resume kinetic reads with the discontinuous kinetics feature.
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Flexible calculations
Data analysis features are available such as 21 different curve fit options, simplified cross-plate analysis and interpolation, and automatic calculations of relative potency, EC50, and Z factors.
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Project management made easy
Group multiple plate reads in one protocol. Display results, conditional pass/fail statements, mini graphs, and images in the notes section for easy viewing of overall project results.
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Secure electronic record keeping
Controlled user access is provided through a granular permission structure and unique logins with electronic signature support for verification, authorization, and approval, including audit trails.
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Validation tools reduce cost
Extensive suite of microplate reader validation tools can reduce the cost and time of validation by 50% when compared to using multiple platforms to collect and analyze data.
Assure data integrity and compliance with confidence
Our comprehensive suite of proven compliance solutions for GMP/GLP labs can advance your efforts to quickly and confidently establish a compliant laboratory.
- Best-in-class microplate readers and washers support all your assay needs
- IQ/OQ/PM services preserve instrument documentation in a digital and compliant format
- Software installation services verify and document that required components are installed to operational specifications
- Software validation service supports FDA 21 CFR Part 11 guidelines
- Validation plates test the performance of your microplate reader using traceable materials for reliable results

Latest Resources
Applications of SoftMax Pro Software
Specifications & Options of SoftMax Pro Software
Helpful Tips:
- To prevent data loss, turn off all sleep and hibernation settings for the hard disk, the CPU, and the USB ports
- Disable automatic Windows Updates
- Update WIndows manually when the instrument isn't being used by the software; these options can be enabled in Windows Control Panel
Note: Installing and using the SoftMax Pro Software on the Windows XP operating system is no longer supported. The software is neither tested nor validated on Windows XP.
Resources of SoftMax Pro Software
Application Note
Low-volume nucleic acid quantitation on the SpectraMax Mini Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Low-volume nucleic acid quantitation on the SpectraMax Mini Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Nucleic acid quantitation is an essential assay that is part of many workflows in genetics, molecular, and cellular biology. Various methods have been developed to quantitate nucleic…
Application Note
Measure dual-luciferase reporter gene activity with the SpectraMax Mini Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Measure dual-luciferase reporter gene activity with the SpectraMax Mini Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Firefly luciferase is a widely used reporter to study gene regulation and function. It is a very sensitive reporter due to the lack of any endogenous luciferase activity in mammalian…
Blog
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
SLAS2022, the Society for Lab Automation and Screening conference offered another exciting year for learning about innovative laboratory technologies. Whether you attended in-person…
eBook
The Ultimate Guide to Microplate Reader Solutions
The Ultimate Guide to Microplate Reader Solutions
Evaluating microplate readers doesn’t have to be overwhelming. First, consider your application needs. If your budget is modest, a single-mode reader dedicated to your main applicati…
Application Note
Cell-based measurement of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with THUNDER TR-FRET assay
Cell-based measurement of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with THUNDER TR-FRET assay
The MAPK/ERK cell signaling pathway begins with the activation of a receptor tyrosine kinase located at the cell surface, involves a series of kinase phosphorylation steps (kinase…
Application Note
Qualitative measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid IgG antibodies in serum samples
Qualitative measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid IgG antibodies in serum samples
Rapid, accurate, and frequent molecular testing is of critical importance in navigating the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Publications
Disease Modeling with 3D Cell-Based Assays Using a Novel Flowchip System and High-Content Imaging
Disease Modeling with 3D Cell-Based Assays Using a Novel Flowchip System and High-Content Imaging
There is an increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) cell structures for modeling tumors, organs, and tissue to accelerate translational research. We describe here a novel…
Blog
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and the importance of regulatory compliance in GMP and GLP labs
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and the importance of regulatory compliance in GMP and GLP labs
The regulations for food and drug in the United States, described in the Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and the EudraLex Annex 11 in EU, are critical in ensuring safe…
Flyer
SMPCare GxP Support Plans
SMPCare GxP Support Plans
Get remote PhD level technical support from the experts that know our microplate readers and SoftMax® Pro GxP Software best. Only Molecular Devices SMPCare provides one-stop support…
Blog
Get to Know our Field Applications Scientist: Cheryl Bell
Get to Know our Field Applications Scientist: Cheryl Bell
Cheryl Bell talks about making the transition from manual microscopy to automated microscopy Our Field Applications Scientist, Cheryl Bell, was recently featured in a Women in…
Customer Breakthrough
National Horizons Centre uses the SpectraMax iD5 & SoftMax Pro Software to train the next generation of scientists
National Horizons Centre uses the SpectraMax iD5 & SoftMax Pro Software to train the next generation of scientists
A UK centre of excellence for the bioscience industry
Opened in Spring 2019, the National Horizons Centre (NHC) is an exciting £22M state-of-the art, purpose-…
Blog
Life sciences technology predictions for 2021
Life sciences technology predictions for 2021
For over 30 years, Molecular Devices has been at the forefront of technological advances which have contributed to significant scientific breakthroughs. To kick off the new year, we…
Application Note
Sensitive fluorescent quantitation of DNA with the Quant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA Assay Kit
Sensitive fluorescent quantitation of DNA with the Quant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA Assay Kit
Double-stranded DNA is typically quantitated in microplate readers by measuring the absorbance of the DNA solution at 260 nm. However, this method is only able to measure down to about…
Publications
Multiple Steps from Microplate-Reader Workstations
Multiple Steps from Microplate-Reader Workstations
Scientists take many roads to overcoming bottlenecks in workflows. For example, a workstation including a microplate reader can handle multiple steps, which improves efficiency and a…
Infographic
History of ELISA
History of ELISA
ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is a method used to quantitatively detect an antigen within a sample. An antigen is a toxin or other foreign substance, for example a flu vi…
eBook
From ELISA to epigenetics with HTRF
From ELISA to epigenetics with HTRF
HTRF® is a versatile TR-FRET technology developed by Cisbio for detecting biomolecular interactions. Assays encompass the areas of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), kinases and cel…
Customer Breakthrough
ETAP Lab use the SpectraMax i3x to advance neurodegenerative disease research
ETAP Lab use the SpectraMax i3x to advance neurodegenerative disease research
Based in France, ETAP-Lab is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing its clients with preclinical services in the fields of Dermatolo…
Application Note
Importing sample information into SoftMax Pro Software using template tools
Importing sample information into SoftMax Pro Software using template tools
SoftMax® Pro 6 or 7 Software enables the entry of some sample information via the template editor.
eBook
Software compliance for GMP/GLP labs
Software compliance for GMP/GLP labs
SoftMax® Pro 7.1.2 GxP Software is our most secure software to help you achieve full FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance with streamlined workflows to ensure data integrity. Every step is…
Application Note
Advanced kinetic analysis of a bacterial growth assay
Advanced kinetic analysis of a bacterial growth assay
Difficult-to-kill bacteria have become a problem in hospital-acquired infections. Identifying compounds which kill these bacteria is of interest to many pharmaceutical companies.…
Flyer
SoftMax Pro Software Import and Export Tools
SoftMax Pro Software Import and Export Tools
The import and export functionality of SoftMax® Pro Software allows for importing plate templates as xls files which are saved in a .txt format. Plate templates can be exported in a…
Customer Breakthrough
Iowa State University use the SpectraMax i3x platform to develop assays for high-throughput screening in vaccine development
Iowa State University use the SpectraMax i3x platform to develop assays for high-throughput screening in vaccine development
Dr. Luis Gimenez-Lirola’s Lab, at Iowa State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine is developing assays for automated screening, and analysis of neutralizing antibody assa…
Data Sheet
SpectraTest Validation Packages
SpectraTest Validation Packages
Microplate readers from Molecular Devices are designed to provide consistent performance for many years. In keeping with best practices, reader performance should still be validated…
Application Note
Parallel line analysis and relative potency in SoftMax Pro GxP and Standard Software
Parallel line analysis and relative potency in SoftMax Pro GxP and Standard Software
Biological assays are frequently analyzed with the help of parallel line analysis (PLA). PLA is commonly used to compare dose-response curves where there is no direct measurement of a…
Application Note
Complex Data Analysis With SoftMax Pro 6.4.1 Import Feature
Complex Data Analysis With SoftMax Pro 6.4.1 Import Feature
Accurate analysis of data is critical to ensuring integrity of experimental results. Consistent data evaluation methods reduce the opportunity for mis-analysis and process-related…
Application Note
Selecting the best weighting factor in SoftMax Pro 7 Software
Selecting the best weighting factor in SoftMax Pro 7 Software
Choosing the proper weighting factor is crucial to obtaining the best curve fit and therefore, obtaining the curve fit parameter values that make the curve fit model as close as…
Application Note
Selecting the best curve fit in SoftMax Pro 7 Software
Selecting the best curve fit in SoftMax Pro 7 Software
Choosing the correct curve fit model is crucial when determining important characteristics of data such as the rate of change, upper and lower asymptotes of the curve, or the EC50/IC50…
Application Note
Analyze cardiomyocyte spheroid contractions with SoftMax Pro Software
Analyze cardiomyocyte spheroid contractions with SoftMax Pro Software
Cell-based models for compound screening have become more complex in order to represent complexity of biological systems. Live-cell imaging and threedimensional models provide valuable…
Application Note
Multitask kinetic measurements of IPTG’s effects on protein expression and cell growth
Multitask kinetic measurements of IPTG’s effects on protein expression and cell growth
Measuring several different signal outputs simultaneously over time is especially useful for studying a protein or compound’s effect on cellular growth or gene expression. In this…


Critical Considerations for Choosing the Right Microplate Reader

Urban myths of microplate readers: Read-Copy-Paste-Analyze. Repeat... Sound familiar?

Urban myths of microplate readers: Beyond the basics - real time, resolving time and transferring energy

Urban myths of microplate readers: “Optimization? But the manual says I need to be excited at 490nm!"

Urban myths of microplate readers: OD, RFU or RLU - What exactly are they and why bigger is not always better!

Urban myths of microplate readers: Which microplate reader? Decisions, decisions and how to be less confused!

Using the export function in SoftMax Pro 7 Software

SoftMax Pro 6.4.1 Import Feature

SoftMax Pro 6.5 Acquisition View

Creating a Multitask Kinetics Workflow with the SoftMax Pro 7 Workflow Editor

SoftMax Pro 7 Software

Creating a New Graph in SoftMax Pro 7 Software

Modifying Existing Graphs in SoftMax Pro 7 Software

Setting up a Plate Template in SoftMax Pro 7 Software

Using the Autosave Option in SoftMax Pro 7 Software

Setting up an Absorbance Assay in SoftMax Pro 7 Software

Curve Fitting Features and PLA: A Practical Guide for SoftMax Pro 6

SoftMax Pro 6 Software

How to Do Microplate Data Acquisition and Data Analysis Using SoftMax Pro 6 Software

SoftMax Pro 6 Data Acquisition Tips and Tricks

SoftMax Pro 6 Data Acquisition Tips and Tricks (French)

SoftMax Pro 6 Data Acquisition Tips and Tricks (German)

SoftMax Pro 6.2 GxP: Compliance Without Complications

Setting up a Plate Template with Dilution in SoftMax Pro 7 Software
Number of Citations*: 14,700
Latest Citations: For a complete list, please click here .
*Source: https://scholar.google.com/
- Dated: Apr 23, 2021Publication Name: Nature Protocols
Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody by wild-type plaque reduction neutralization, microneutralization and pseudotyped virus neutralization assays
Virus neutralization assays measure neutralizing antibodies in serum and plasma, and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is considered the gold standard for measuring levels of these antibodies for many viral diseases. We have developed procedures for the standard PRNT, microneutralization assay (MNA) and pseudotyped virus… View moreVirus neutralization assays measure neutralizing antibodies in serum and plasma, and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is considered the gold standard for measuring levels of these antibodies for many viral diseases. We have developed procedures for the standard PRNT, microneutralization assay (MNA) and pseudotyped virus neutralization assay (PNA) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The MNA offers advantages over the PRNT by reducing assay time, allowing increased throughput and reducing operator workload while remaining dependent upon the use of wild-type virus. This ensures that all severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigens are present, but Biosafety Level 3 facilities are required. In addition to the advantages of MNA, PNA can be performed with lower biocontainment (Biosafety Level 2 facilities) and allows for further increases in throughput. For each new vaccine, it is critical to ensure good correlation of the neutralizing activity measured using PNA against the PRNT or MNA. These assays have been used in the development and licensure of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca; Oxford University) and Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen) coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines and are critical for demonstrating bioequivalence of future vaccines.
Contributors: Kevin R. Bewley, Naomi S. Coombes, Luc Gagnon, Lorna McInroy, Natalie Baker, Imam Shaik, Julien R. St-Jean, Natalie St-Amant, Karen R. Buttigieg, Holly E. Humphries, Kerry J. Godwin, Emily Brunt, Lauren Allen, Stephanie Leung, Phillip J. Brown, Elizabeth J. Penn, Kelly Thomas, Greg Kulnis, Bassam Hallis, Miles Carroll, Simon Funnell & Sue Charlton
Go to article - Dated: Dec 15, 2020Publication Name: Vaccine
Development and characterization of a standardized ELISA including a reference serum on each plate to detect antibodies induced by experimental malaria vaccines
Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been widely used to measure antibody titers for evaluating the immunogenicity of a vaccine. However, there is as yet no generally accepted way of expressing the ELISA results in the case of experimental vaccines, since there is usually no uniform standard. Both end point and single dilution methods… View moreEnzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been widely used to measure antibody titers for evaluating the immunogenicity of a vaccine. However, there is as yet no generally accepted way of expressing the ELISA results in the case of experimental vaccines, since there is usually no uniform standard. Both end point and single dilution methods have significant disadvantages. In this paper, we obtained reproducible data with fewer dilutions of samples by addition of serially diluted standard serum to each ELISA plate. Since this ELISA method gives reliable antibody titer with less labor than other methods, it can strongly support vaccine development.
Contributors: Kazutoyo Miura, Andrew C. Orcutt, Olga V.Muratova, Louis H.Miller Allan, Saul, Carole A. Long
Go to article - Dated: Aug 17, 2020Publication Name: Springer
Drug Removal Strategies in Competitive Ligand Binding Neutralizing Antibody (NAb) Assays: Highly Drug-Tolerant Methods and Interpreting Immunogenicity Data
Neutralizing anti-drug antibody (NAb) assays often have lower drug tolerance (DT) than trough drug concentrations, potentially under-estimating NAb incidence. To improve DT, drug-specific proteins were coupled to magnetic beads to deplete drug in the sample. View moreNeutralizing anti-drug antibody (NAb) assays often have lower drug tolerance (DT) than trough drug concentrations, potentially under-estimating NAb incidence. To improve DT, drug-specific proteins were coupled to magnetic beads to deplete drug in the sample.
Contributors: Michael A. Partridge, Elif Kabuloglu Karayusuf, Gary Shyu, Camille Georgaros, Albert Torri & Giane Sumner
Go to article - Dated: Mar 03, 2020Publication Name: International Immunopharmacology
Parallel comparison of three methodologies for measuring functional C1-inhibitor in Hereditary angioedema patients
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) types I and II are characterized by functional C1 inhibitor (fC1-INH) deficiency which results in bradykinin overproduction. Sensitive, specific and robust methods to quantitate fC1-INH in human samples are required for diagnosing HAE and/or to measure pharmacodynamic activity of C1-INH drugs in clinical studies. View moreHereditary angioedema (HAE) types I and II are characterized by functional C1 inhibitor (fC1-INH) deficiency which results in bradykinin overproduction. Sensitive, specific and robust methods to quantitate fC1-INH in human samples are required for diagnosing HAE and/or to measure pharmacodynamic activity of C1-INH drugs in clinical studies.
Contributors: Archana Kapoor, Brijesh K. Garg, Zhiwei Zhou, Peng Lu, Priya S.Chockalingam
Go to article - Dated: Jun 17, 2019Publication Name: Nature
Mitotically heritable effects of BMAA on striatal neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation
The widespread environmental contaminant β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a developmental neurotoxicant that can induce long-term learning and memory deficits. Studies have shown high transplacental transfer of 3H-BMAA and a significant uptake in fetal brain. View moreThe widespread environmental contaminant β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a developmental neurotoxicant that can induce long-term learning and memory deficits. Studies have shown high transplacental transfer of 3H-BMAA and a significant uptake in fetal brain.
- Dated: Oct 01, 2018Publication Name: Crop Protection
Identification and characterization of abamectin resistance in Tetranychus urticae Koch populations from greenhouses in Turkey
The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch is one of the most serious pests in greenhouses and has developed high resistance to many classes of acaricides rapidly. Three T. urticae populations were collected from vegetable greenhouses in Antalya and Muğla, Turkey. These populations showed high resistance levels to abamectin ranging… View moreThe two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch is one of the most serious pests in greenhouses and has developed high resistance to many classes of acaricides rapidly. Three T. urticae populations were collected from vegetable greenhouses in Antalya and Muğla, Turkey. These populations showed high resistance levels to abamectin ranging between 223 and 404 fold compared to a susceptible population. The interaction of some synergists (piperonyl butoxide; PBO, diethyl maleate; DEM and S-benzyl O,O-diisopropyl phosphorothioate; IBP) with abamectin was analyzed showing possible implication of esterases in resistances in the three populations studied. The activities of esterase, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450 (p450) was determined using α-naphthyl acetate, 1-chloro-2,4 dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) as substrates, respectively. In all field populations, esterase, glutathione S-transferase and P450 activities were higher, when compared to the susceptible population (GSS). The presence of known abamectin resistance target site mutations (G314D and G326E) on the glutamate gated chloride channels was also examined. However, no target site–resistance mutation was detected in all three populations. According to our results, detoxification enzymes, but no target site intensivity seem to play role in abamectin resistance in field T. urticae populations from Turkey.
- Dated: Apr 04, 2001Publication Name: Journal of Investigative Dermatology
An Alternative Approach to Depigmentation by Soybean Extracts via Inhibition of the PAR-2 Pathway
The protease-activated receptor 2, expressed on keratinocytes but not on melanocytes, has been ascribed functional importance in the regulation of pigmentation by phagocytosis of melanosomes. Inhibition of protease-activated receptor 2 activation by synthetic serine protease inhibitors requires keratinocyte-melanocyte contact and results in… View moreThe protease-activated receptor 2, expressed on keratinocytes but not on melanocytes, has been ascribed functional importance in the regulation of pigmentation by phagocytosis of melanosomes. Inhibition of protease-activated receptor 2 activation by synthetic serine protease inhibitors requires keratinocyte-melanocyte contact and results in depigmentation of the dark skinned Yucatan swine, suggesting a new class of depigmenting mechanism and agents. We therefore examined natural agents that could exert their effect via the protease-activated receptor 2 pathway. Here we show that soymilk and the soybean-derived serine protease inhibitors soybean trypsin inhibitor and Bowman-Birk inhibitor inhibit protease-activated receptor 2 cleavage, affect cytoskeletal and cell surface organization, and reduce keratinocyte phagocytosis. The depigmenting activity of these agents and their capability to prevent ultraviolet-induced pigmentation are demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. These results imply that inhibition of the protease-activated receptor 2 pathway by soymilk may be used as a natural alternative to skin lightening.
Contributors: Christine Paine, Elizabeth Sharlow, Frank Liebel, Magdalena Eisinger, StanleyShapiro, MiriSeiberg
Go to article
SoftMax Pro 7 Software
Product |
Annual Subscription License |
Non-Expiring License |
SoftMax Pro Standard SoftwareWindows 10 compatible |
One year subscription to the latest version of SoftMax Pro 7. Includes one activation key, which expires after one year. Annual renewal. Part number:
Special pricing for verified academic institutions. For contact numbers outside the US, please visit our contact page. |
Non-expiring license for the latest version of SoftMax Pro 7. Includes four activation keys.
Part number:
Special pricing for verified academic institutions. For contact numbers outside the US, please visit our contact page. |
SoftMax Pro Importer XLSRequires SoftMax Pro 6.4.1 or higher |
One year subscription to enable import of data into SoftMax Pro from Excel based template. Includes one activation key, which expires after one year. Annual renewal. Part number: (Click below to purchase/download) |
|
SoftMax Pro Importer XLS and XMLRequires SoftMax Pro 6.4.1 or higher |
One year subscription to enable import of data into SoftMax Pro from Excel based template or XML file. Includes one activation key, which expires after one year. Annual renewal. Part number: (Click below to purchase/download) |
Non-expiring license to enable import of data into SoftMax Pro from Excel-based template or XML file. Includes one activation key for one computer. Part number: (Click below to purchase/download) SMP.IMPORT.XLS.AND.XML.NONEXP |
Related Products & Services of SoftMax Pro Software
Customer Breakthrough


SUCCESS STORY
National Horizons Centre uses the SpectraMax iD5 & SoftMax Pro Software to train the next generation of scientists
How can we help advance your next big discovery?
Our highly-qualified teams are on the frontlines with our customers, conducting remote or on-site product demonstrations, webinars, and more to help you solve your tough research challenges. How can we help you today?
I’d like to…
How can we help advance your next big discovery?
Our highly-qualified teams are on the frontlines with our customers, conducting remote or on-site product demonstrations, webinars, and more to help you solve your tough research challenges. How can we help you today?
I’d like to…