FlexStation 3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader

Absorbance

Learn all about absorbance detection – how it works, how it’s measured, and how it can be used to calculate concentration. We also provide information on common absorbance applications and assays including ELISAs, nucleic acid and protein quantitation, and microbial growth.

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Action Potential

 An action potential is a rapid rise and subsequent fall in voltage or membrane potential across a cellular membrane with a characteristic pattern. Examples of cells that signal via action potentials are neurons and muscle cells.

Action Potential  

Action Potential Analysis

Action potentials represent important cellular events. Without action potentials, hearts would not beat, and neurons would not fire, so measuring these events is essential. The Action Potential Search tool in Clampfit 11 Advanced module detects all action potentials in the data file. It applies user defined and programmatically determined metrics including amplitude, AP duration, rise and decay time, rise and decay slope, peak to peak frequency and time, amplitude delta per peak, afterpotential amplitude and duration, and threshold potential.

Tech Tips with Jin Yan: Axon pClamp™ 11 Software Feature for Action Potential Analysis

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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.

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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.

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Enzyme Activity

Enzyme activity can be monitored in real time using a chromogenic substrate which, upon its addition to the enzyme, produces a change in color that is detectable on an absorbance microplate reader. Using an instrument with onboard liquid handling capability, substrate can be added automatically while the reaction is monitored, enabling detection of the earliest part of the reaction and thus more accurate estimates of binding affinity.

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Fast Kinetic Calcium Mobilization Assays

Gq protein-coupled receptor (GPCRs) activation can be monitored by measuring the increase in intracellular calcium with fluorescent dyes. A calcium-sensitive dye is taken into the cytoplasm of the cell. Upon ligand binding to the receptor, calcium is released into the cytoplasm of the cell. The dye binds to the intracellular calcium and an increase in fluorescence is measured.

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Fluorescence

Learn all about fluorescence detection – what it is, how it works, and the instruments used to measure the fluorescence of a sample. We also cover many fluorescence-based assays including cell viability, GPCR activity, and fluorescent nucleic acid quantification.

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Fluorescence Polarization (FP)

Fluorescence polarization (FP) is a technique that is widely used to monitor binding events in solution. It can be used to assess biomolecular interactions, including protein-antibody binding and DNA hybridization, as well as enzyme activity, and it has been adapted to basic research as well as high-throughput screening.

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IgG Quantification

In therapeutic protein engineering and cell line development, IgG quantification is the process of measuring the amount of immunoglobulin G (IgG), a common class of therapeutic proteins, produced by a genetically modified cell line. This is important for evaluating and monitoring the productivity of the cell line and selecting the best candidate for further development of therapeutic antibodies.

• High-throughput IgG quantitation platform for clone screening during drug discovery and development

• Poster: High-throughput IgG quantitation platform for clone screening during drug discovery and development

• Qualitative measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid IgG antibodies in serum samples

• Virology and Vaccine Research: Microplate Reader Solutions

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.

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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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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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TRF, TR-FRET & HTRF

Learn all about time-resolved fluorescence – TRF and TR-FRET including HTRF assays. We’ll provide applications resources to aid in your research, including kinase assays, cellular signaling pathways, protein-protein interactions, cell cytotoxicity, and more.

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