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SpectraMax L Microplate Reader

Sensitive luminometer with programmable injector options for 96- and 384-well microplates
Flash and glow luminescence detection in an upgradeable platform
The SpectraMax® L Microplate Reader measures flash and glow luminescence assays in both 96- and 384-well plates. It is upgradeable to include a barcode reader, programmable injectors, and dual-channel configurations for a 2-fold increase for medium throughput. The high sensitivity, low-noise photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), and variable-volume injector configuration make this reader ideal for fast kinetic assays requiring continuous monitoring during injection and measurement.
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Detect all samples
The analog and photon counting capability provides a dynamic range of nine orders of magnitude, eliminating the need to dilute bright samples while maintaining high sensitivity for dim samples.
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Get 2-fold improvement in speed
The 2-channel configuration is available with 0, 2, or 4 injectors. The 4-injector configuration enables a 2-fold improvement in speed for traditional flash and glow assays.
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Automate injector workflows
The autowashing injectors can be programmed to rinse the injectors following each use, reversing the direction of flow so reagents can be recovered.

SpectraMax-L-Lumi
Features
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Reduced noise
Ultra-fast photon counting technology amplifies the PMT signal with a fast pulse amplifier. This reduced noise capability enables a higher signal-to-noise ratio and low crosstalk.
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PMT calibration
The automatic PMT calibration method is based on readings of 4 internal LEDs at 395, 470, 527, and 570 nm. The manual PMT calibration method is based on readings of 4 wells from the assay itself.
Latest Resources
Applications of SpectraMax L Microplate Reader
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ATP-based cell viability assays
Luminescent ATP assays for cell viability and cytotoxicity provide a sensitive and rapid way to measure the number of viable cells in culture and quantify the cytotoxic effects of experimental treatments. These assays can be done in a high-throughput format using SpectraMax® microplate readers.
Learn about the CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay and more:
Cell Health
Cell viability refers to the number of healthy cells in a population and can be evaluated using assays that measure enzyme activity, cell membrane integrity, ATP production, and other indicators. These methods can employ luminescent, fluorescent, or colorimetric readouts as indicators of general cell viability or even specific cellular pathways. Cytotoxicity and cell viability assays are often used to assess a drug or other treatment’s effect, and are valuable tools in the search for new therapeutics, as well as advancing our understanding of how normal cells function.
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Cellular Signaling
Cellular signaling allows cells to respond to their environment as well as to communicate with other cells. Proteins located on the cell surface can receive signals from the surroundings and transmit information into the cell via a series of protein interactions and biochemical reactions that comprise a signaling pathway. Multicellular organisms rely upon an extensive array of signaling pathways to coordinate the proper growth, regulation, and functioning of cells and tissues. If signaling between or within cells is dysregulated, inappropriate cellular responses may lead to cancer and other diseases.
Chemiluminescent ELISA
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are a family of secreted polypeptides that have been implicated in mammalian vascular development and in disease processes involving abnormal blood vessel growth.
Learn more about chemiluminescent ELISA method using our luminometer and data acquisition and analysis software:
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Cytotoxicity
Cytotoxicity is often measured in response to an experimental treatment or potential drug. Having a way to easily screen cytotoxicity in treated cells is critical to identifying new therapeutic treatments or understanding cellular signaling pathways that affect cell health. Common indicators of cytotoxicity include the ATP level in a cell population and integrity of cellular membranes, both of which can be measured using a variety of microplate-based assays.
Cytotoxicity Assays
Cytotoxicity is often measured in response to an experimental treatment or potential drug. Having a way to easily screen cytotoxicity in treated cells is critical to identifying new therapeutic treatments or understanding cellular signaling pathways that affect cell health. Common indicators of cytotoxicity include the ATP level in a cell population and integrity of cellular membranes, both of which can be measured using a variety of microplate-based assays.
Learn more about cytotoxicity in cells:
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ELISA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are used to measure the amount of a specific protein, using 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.
Luminescence
Learn about luminescence detection – what it is, how it works, and the advantages of luminescence over other detection modes. We’ll cover key luminescence-based assays including dual-luciferase reporter gene, chemiluminescent ELISA, cytotoxicity, and BRET.
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Microbiology and Contaminant
Microbes, including bacteria, have been estimated to make up about 15 percent of the earth’s biomass, and microbes in the human body outnumber human cells by 10 to 1. These microorganisms provide great benefit to us and are also vital to many fields of research from medicine to alternative energy production. On the other hand, monitoring for microbes and the toxic substances they produce is necessary to ensure the safety of pharmaceutical products. Scientists whose research relies on mammalian cells must carefully monitor these cultures for unwanted microbial contaminants to ensure that their experimental results are reliable.
Mycoplasma Monitoring
Mycoplasma, the smallest and simplest of the prokaryotes, are common contaminants of cell cultures. Symptoms of mycoplasma contamination include a reduction in the rate of proliferation and changes in cellular responses, including gene expression
Learn how the MycoAlert Assay and MycoAlert PLUS Assay from Lonza provide a rapid and convenient way to detect viable mycoplasma in cell cultures using a luminescence microplate reader
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NanoBRET/BRET
BRET (bioluminescence resonance energy transfer) is a technique for measuring protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions that involves the interaction of a bioluminescent donor and a fluorescent acceptor.
Detection of NanoBRET signals, and analysis of the resulting data, requires sensitive instrumentation and advanced software. Register to learn more:
Protein Detection, Quantitation and Analysis
Protein detection, quantitation, and analysis are central to the investigation of a wide variety of biological processes. Measuring the concentration of protein is necessary to processes ranging from protein purification and labeling to sample preparation for electrophoresis. Protein can be quantitated directly via absorbance at 280 nm, or indirectly using colorimetric (BCA, Bradford, etc.) or fluorometric methods offering advantages such as greater sensitivity. To identify and measure a specific protein within a complex sample, for example, serum or cell lysate, an ELISA may be used.
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Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen. In eukaryotes, these molecules are mainly created during aerobic respiration and can cause problems, such as DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, resulting in cellular damage.
We demonstrate how SpectraMax microplate readers can be used to accurately quantify ROS levels using a luminescence-based assay:
Reporter Gene Assay
Reporter gene assays enable researchers to determine whether a gene is expressed and at what level. They are used to study signaling pathways, gene regulation, structure of regulatory elements, and much more. A reporter gene vector consists of a promoter or gene of interest, along with a reporter gene such as firefly luciferase, which codes for a protein whose activity can be easily measured. The vector is transfected into mammalian cells, and when the gene of interest is active in the cells, the reporter gene is also expressed and can be measured using appropriate detection reagents.
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Single/Dual -Luciferase Reporter Gene Assays
Reporter gene assays are important tools for studying gene expression associated with the activation of cellular pathways. Cells are transfected with a plasmid containing the reporter gene and a sequence of interest, typically a promoter or other transcriptional control element. When the promoter is activated, the reporter gene is expressed and its levels can be measured.
Learn more about dual luciferase reporter gene assay:
- Monitor NF-kB activation with a sensitive dual reporter assay on the SpectraMax iD5 microplate reader*
- Detect dual luciferase expression on the FlexStation 3 microplate reader
- Dual-Luciferase assays in 96- and 384-well formats on the SpectraMax L
- Measuring luciferase expression using the SpectraMax Glo Steady-Luc Reporter Assay Kit
Resources of SpectraMax L Microplate Reader
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…
Application Note
Detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG in serum samples with a luminescent immunoassay
Detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG in serum samples with a luminescent immunoassay
As part of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, infected individuals produce virus-specific antibodies that are detectable in the blood within one to three weeks after the onset of…
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…
Flyer
Comparing luminescence sensitivity of SpectraMax microplate readers using a homogeneous ATP assay
Comparing luminescence sensitivity of SpectraMax microplate readers using a homogeneous ATP assay
ATP standards ranging from 1 μM to 1 pM were prepared as a 10-fold serial dilution series in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). 50 μL of standard was pipetted into the wells of a white…
Application Note
Monitor NF-κB activation with a sensitive dual reporter assay on the SpectraMax iD5 microplate reader
Monitor NF-κB activation with a sensitive dual reporter assay on the SpectraMax iD5 microplate reader
Reporter genes are valuable tools for studying gene expression, serving as surrogates for genes involved in various signaling pathways and disease conditions. Luciferases are the most…
Customer Breakthrough
University of Geneva uses the FlexStation 3 and SpectraMax readers for assay development and screening
University of Geneva uses the FlexStation 3 and SpectraMax readers for assay development and screening
M. Yves Cambet is a researcher within the Readers, Assay Development & Screening (RE.A.D.S) Unit at the Faculty of Medicine in the Centre Medical Univerisitaire (C.M.U.) of Gene…
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
Measuring reactive oxygen species with SpectraMax microplate readers
Measuring reactive oxygen species with SpectraMax microplate readers
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen. In eukaryotes, these molecules are mainly created during aerobic respiration and can cause problems,…
Application Note
MycoAlert Mycoplasma Detection Assays on Molecular Devices Microplate Readers
MycoAlert Mycoplasma Detection Assays on Molecular Devices Microplate Readers
Mycoplasma, the smallest and simplest of the prokaryotes, are common contaminants of cell cultures. Symptoms of mycoplasma contamination include a reduction in the rate of…
Application Note
Cytotoxicity in Cells: Easy Determination Using Lonza ViaLight Plus and ToxiLight BioAssays on the SpectraMax L Microplate Luminometer
Cytotoxicity in Cells: Easy Determination Using Lonza ViaLight Plus and ToxiLight BioAssays on the SpectraMax L Microplate Luminometer
Bioluminescent cytotoxicity assays offer the user increased detection limits, speed, and accuracy, and have been well documented. Healthy cells maintain a high constant ATP…
Application Note
Dual-Luciferase assays in 96- and 384-well formats on the new SpectraMax L
Dual-Luciferase assays in 96- and 384-well formats on the new SpectraMax L
Reporter gene assays are used to study the expression of eukaryotic genes. In dual reporter gene assays cells are transfected with two vectors, the first containing an experimental…
Application Note
Chemiluminescent VEGF ELISA Using the SpectraMax L Microplate Luminometer
Chemiluminescent VEGF ELISA Using the SpectraMax L Microplate Luminometer
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are a family of secreted polypeptides that have been implicated in mammalian vascular development and in disease processes involving…
Application Note
Protein quantitation with the EMax Plus Microplate Reader
Protein quantitation with the EMax Plus Microplate Reader
Endpoint readers are prolific in the laboratory since absorbance has become the detection of choice for many applications. Examples include ELISAs for quantitation of cytokines and…
Application Note
Luminescent cell viability and cytotoxicity assays on the SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Luminescent cell viability and cytotoxicity assays on the SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
The CellTiter-Glo assay from Promega uses luciferase enzyme, which requires ATP in order to generate light. The luminescent signal produced in the assay depends on the amount of ATP in…
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. O…
Data Sheet
SpectraMax L Microplate Reader
SpectraMax L Microplate Reader
Learn more about the SpectraMax L Microplate Reader and its sensitive, reliable optics and injectors, and how it can be utilized to improve your research.


Discovery and Functional Fine-Mapping of Expression Quantitative Trait Loci in Primary Liver Tissue
Number of Citations*: 8,170
Latest Citations: For a complete list, please click here .
*Source: https://scholar.google.com/
- Dated: Dec 15, 2020Publication Name: Molecular Devices
Cytotoxicity in Cells: Easy Determination Using Lonza ViaLight Plus and ToxiLight BioAssays on the SpectraMax L Microplate Luminometer
Bioluminescent cytotoxicity assays offer the user increased detection limits, speed, and accuracy, and have been well documented (Crouch et al., 1993). Healthy cells maintain a high constant ATP concentration in culture. During proliferation, the total ATP in the culture increases in line with cell number. Conversely, dying cells are unable to… View moreBioluminescent cytotoxicity assays offer the user increased detection limits, speed, and accuracy, and have been well documented (Crouch et al., 1993). Healthy cells maintain a high constant ATP concentration in culture. During proliferation, the total ATP in the culture increases in line with cell number. Conversely, dying cells are unable to maintain their high ATP level, as synthesis becomes compromised, and so levels are seen to reduce. The level of ATP present within a culture is indicative of the number of viable cells present, and ATP assays have been shown to be one of the most predictive general cytotoxicity methods
Contributors: Claire Scholfield Ph.D, Tracy Simmons Ph.D, Susan Gill M.Sc., Lonza Walkerville, Inc.; and Cathy Olsen Ph.D, Molecular Device
Go to article - Dated: Dec 15, 2020Publication Name: Molecular Devices
Chemiluminescent VEGF ELISA Using the SpectraMax L Microplate Luminometer
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are a family of secreted polypeptides that have been implicated in mammalian vascular development and in disease processes involving abnormal blood vessel growth. VEGFs are expressed during embryogenesis, where deletion of even a single VEGF allele severely disrupts vasculogenesis and is embryonic lethal… View moreVascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are a family of secreted polypeptides that have been implicated in mammalian vascular development and in disease processes involving abnormal blood vessel growth. VEGFs are expressed during embryogenesis, where deletion of even a single VEGF allele severely disrupts vasculogenesis and is embryonic lethal. VEGF165 is the most abundant and biologically active isoform of VEGF found in mammals.1 The QuantiGlo Chemiluminescent VEGF Immunoassay is a solid phase ELISA that measures VEGF165 levels in cell culture supernatants, serum, plasma, saliva, and urine. It uses the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique in which a monoclonal antibody specific for VEGF is coated onto a microplate and standards and samples are added to the wells.2 Unbound material is washed away, and a horseradish peroxidase-linked polyclonal antibody-specific for VEGF is added to the wells.
- Dated: Apr 03, 2011Publication Name: Nuclear Medicine and Biology
Luminescence imaging using radionuclides: a potential application in molecular imaging
Nuclear and optical imaging are complementary in many aspects and there would be many advantages when optical imaging probes are prepared using radionuclides rather than classic fluorophores, and when nuclear and optical dual images are obtained using single imaging probe. View moreNuclear and optical imaging are complementary in many aspects and there would be many advantages when optical imaging probes are prepared using radionuclides rather than classic fluorophores, and when nuclear and optical dual images are obtained using single imaging probe.
Contributors: Jeong Chan Park, Gwang Il An, Se-Il Park, Jungmin Oh, Hong Joo Kim, Yeong Su Ha, Eun Kyung Wang, Kyeong Min Kim Jung Young Kim, Jaetae Lee Michael J.Welch f, Jeongsoo Yoo
Go to article
SpectraMax® L Microplate Reader
Product | Product Number |
SpectraMax L Microplate Reader | SpectraMax L Config |
BRET1 Filter Set (480nm/535nm) | 0310-5706 |
BRET2 Filter Set (410nm/515nm) | 0310-5707 |
Barcode reader | 0310-5743 |
SpectraTest LM1 Luminescence Validation Plate | 0200-6186 |
StakMax Handling Stacker Base Unit | STAKMAX |
Microplate Reader Shelf | 9000-0756 |
Related Products & Services of SpectraMax L Microplate Reader
Featured Applications

ATP-based cell viability assays
Luminescent ATP assays for cell viability and cytotoxicity provide a sensitive and rapid way to…

Cell Health
Cell viability refers to the number of healthy cells in a population and can be evaluated using…

Cellular Signaling
Cellular signaling allows cells to respond to their environment as well as to communicate with…

Chemiluminescent ELISA
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are a family of secreted polypeptides that have been…

Cytotoxicity
Cytotoxicity is often measured in response to an experimental treatment or potential drug. Having a…

Cytotoxicity Assays
Cytotoxicity is often measured in response to an experimental treatment or potential drug. Having a…

ELISA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are used to measure the amount of a specific protein,…

Luminescence
Learn about luminescence detection – what it is, how it works, and the advantages of luminescence…

Microbiology and Contaminant
Microbes, including bacteria, have been estimated to make up about 15 percent of the earth’s…

Mycoplasma Monitoring
Mycoplasma, the smallest and simplest of the prokaryotes, are common contaminants of cell cultures…

NanoBRET/BRET
BRET (bioluminescence resonance energy transfer) is a technique for measuring protein-protein or…

Protein Detection, Quantitation and Analysis
Protein detection, quantitation, and analysis are central to the investigation of a wide variety of…

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen. In eukaryotes,…

Reporter Gene Assay
Reporter gene assays enable researchers to determine whether a gene is expressed and at what level…

Single/Dual -Luciferase Reporter Gene Assays
Reporter gene assays are important tools for studying gene expression associated with the…
Customer Breakthrough


SUCCESS STORY
University of Geneva uses the FlexStation 3 and SpectraMax readers for assay development and screening
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…