- Home
- Products
- Microplate Readers
- Multi-Mode Readers
- SpectraMax M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
SpectraMax M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
Configurable readers with triple-mode cuvette ports, validation tools, and compliance software
Dual monochromators increase performance and assay flexibility
The SpectraMax® M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers measure UV and visible absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, fluorescence polarization, TRF and HTRF. Standard features include a cuvette port, spectral scanning in 1 nm increments, and up to six wavelengths per read. These robust readers have been placed in labs from Antarctica to the International Space Station. With optimized reagents, validation tools, and industry-leading SoftMax® Pro Software, they provide consistent performance.
-
Assay flexibility
The optical system uses two scanning monochromators so you can determine optimal excitation and emission settings, resulting in assay performance similar to that of dedicated single-mode readers.
-
Better absorbance accuracy
Measure sample depth with no temperature dependency using the patented PathCheck® Sensor technology. It automatically normalizes absorbance readings to 1 cm, eliminating the need for standard curves.
-
Increased throughput
Integrate easily with our StakMax® Microplate Stacker for walk-away automation. The stacker can hold up to 50 plates and can be configured to include a barcode reader.

SpectraMax M5e Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Features
-
Patented optimization
The patented AutoPMT optimization of the SpectraMax M5 reader adjusts the fluorescence detector to each sample well's concentration and normalizes the raw data, extending the dynamic range of assays.
-
IQ/OQ/PM Services
Qualify Molecular Devices microplate readers in GLP or GMP environments with our IQ/OQ/PM Services to preserve the documentation of services in a compliant format that can be accessed remotely.
-
Validation tools
Extensive suite of validation tools reduces the cost and time of validation by 50% as compared to using multiple platforms to collect and analyze data.
-
Compliance software
SoftMax Pro GxP Software extends data acquisition and analysis solution into regulated laboratories working under GMP, GLP, and 21 CFR Part 11 for secure electronic records.
-
Application Note
Faster ELISA results with CatchPoint SimpleStep ELISA kits
Faster ELISA results with CatchPoint SimpleStep ELISA kits
CatchPoint SimpleStep ELISA kits give users a 90-minute ELISA workflow, a nearly two-thirds reduction in time compared to conventional ELISAs.
-
eBook
Pathway to compliance in GMP/GLP labs
Pathway to compliance in GMP/GLP labs
Become 21 CFR Part 11 compliant with SoftMax Pro 7.1 GxP Software. Our IQ OQ services assure audit readiness for microplate readers and software.
Applications of SpectraMax M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
-
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.
-
Fluorescent Protein Detection
Fluorescent proteins have become enormously popular as tools for monitoring biological events in vivo. In addition to green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, there are now numerous others available from other species of jellyfish and reef coral. These proteins can be expressed in a diverse range of cells and organisms, where they are used to track many cellular processes, including protein synthesis and translocation, gene induction, and cell lineage.
Fluorescent Protein Detection
Fluorescent proteins have become enormously popular as tools for monitoring biological events in vivo. In addition to green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, there are now numerous others available from other species of jellyfish and reef coral. These proteins can be expressed in a diverse range of cells and organisms, where they are used to track many cellular processes, including protein synthesis and translocation, gene induction, and cell lineage.
SNP Genotyping
Genotyping is a process for analyzing genetic differences among individuals by examining their DNA sequences. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are one of the most common types of genetic variation, consisting of a single nucleotide mutation at a specific locus. SNP genotyping has proven very useful in identifying disease-related mutations in various species, and as a result many techniques for SNP detection have been developed.
SNP Genotyping
Genotyping is a process for analyzing genetic differences among individuals by examining their DNA sequences. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are one of the most common types of genetic variation, consisting of a single nucleotide mutation at a specific locus. SNP genotyping has proven very useful in identifying disease-related mutations in various species, and as a result many techniques for SNP detection have been developed.
Specifications & Options of SpectraMax M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
Resources of SpectraMax M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
Application Note
Faster ELISA results with CatchPoint SimpleStep ELISA kits
Faster ELISA results with CatchPoint SimpleStep ELISA kits
CatchPoint SimpleStep ELISA kits give users a 90-minute ELISA workflow, a nearly two-thirds reduction in time compared to conventional ELISAs.
eBook
Pathway to compliance in GMP/GLP labs
Pathway to compliance in GMP/GLP labs
Become 21 CFR Part 11 compliant with SoftMax Pro 7.1 GxP Software. Our IQ OQ services assure audit readiness for microplate readers and software.
Application Note
HTRF cAMP dynamic 2 and IP-One assays on the SpectraMax M5e reader
HTRF cAMP dynamic 2 and IP-One assays on the SpectraMax M5e reader
HTRF is a versatile technology developed by Cisbio for detecting molecular interactions between biomolecules.1 Combining the features of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)…
Application Note
Using the NanoOrange Protein Kit with SpectraMax Microplate Readers
Using the NanoOrange Protein Kit with SpectraMax Microplate Readers
This application note describes how to use the NanoOrange® Protein Quantitation Kit from Life Technologies in SpectraMax® microplate readers with the fluorescence detection mode and…
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
IMAP FP kinase assays on the SpectraMax M5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
IMAP FP kinase assays on the SpectraMax M5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Protein kinases are central to the regulation of many cellular processes. In recent years they have emerged as one of the most important classes of drug targets for cancer and many…
Application Note
EarlyTox Live/Dead Assay Kit on SpectraMax Fluorescence Microplate Readers
EarlyTox Live/Dead Assay Kit on SpectraMax Fluorescence Microplate Readers
Cell viability assays are often performed to assess the effects of a variety of treatments, including drug candidates, pathway activators and inhibitors, and reporter genes. One of the…
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
Measuring cell proliferation using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay with SpectraMax Microplate Readers
Measuring cell proliferation using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay with SpectraMax Microplate Readers
Quantitation of cell proliferation using fluorescence allows one to easily monitor the effects of drugs and other experimental treatments on cell growth. The CyQUANT Cell Proliferation…
Application Note
Noninvasive measurement of fluorescent proteins in live cells
Noninvasive measurement of fluorescent proteins in live cells
Fluorescent proteins have become enormously popular as tools for monitoring biological events in vivo. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria was the…
Application Note
Quant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA assay with SpectraMax Microplate Readers
Quant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA assay with SpectraMax Microplate Readers
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…
Application Note
IMAP phosphodiesterase assays on SpectraMax Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
IMAP phosphodiesterase assays on SpectraMax Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are a group of enzymes that degrade the phosphodiester bond of cAMP and cGMP, second messengers that are involved in a variety of biological…
Application Note
HTRF cAMP HiRange Assay on SpectraMax Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
HTRF cAMP HiRange Assay on SpectraMax Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
HTRF is a versatile technology developed by Cisbio Bioassays for detecting biomolecular interactions1. It combines fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology with time-…
Application Note
Detect Inflammatory Cytokines at Picogram Levels with Sword ELISA Boosters
Detect Inflammatory Cytokines at Picogram Levels with Sword ELISA Boosters
Traditional ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) methods using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) substrate 3,3’,5,5’- tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) often fail to detect low abundance…
Application Note
Detect SNPs with KASP genotyping technology on SpectraMax microplate readers
Detect SNPs with KASP genotyping technology on SpectraMax microplate readers
Genotyping is a process for analyzing genetic differences among individuals by examining their DNA sequences. The many methods available for genotyping enable researchers to…
eBook
Optimized Assays for Breakthrough Research
Optimized Assays for Breakthrough Research
Biology research has been greatly simplified by the availability of standardized assay kits, instruments, and assay protocols from commercial manufacturers.
eBook
Power of SpectraMax M
Power of SpectraMax M
For over 13 years, scientists have relied on the industry standard, the SpectraMax® M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers, for their consistent performance, reliability and durability.…
Brochure
SpectraMax M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
SpectraMax M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
Learn more about the SpectraMax M Series Microplate readers. They contain a wide range of high-performance capabilities ideal for life science research & drug discovery screening.
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…
Scientific Poster
High -Throughput Multiplexed Inflammation Assay Using Primary Cells
High -Throughput Multiplexed Inflammation Assay Using Primary Cells
Learn how we performed a multiplexed, primary human cell-based assay to fluorometrically measure inflammation markers using our SpectraMax microplate readers in this poster.
Videos and Demos

SpectraMax M5e Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
SpectraMax® M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
Product |
Part Number |
SpectraMax M2 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader |
M2 |
SpectraMax M2E Multi-Mode Microplate Reader |
M2E |
SpectraMax M3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader |
M3 |
SpectraMax M4 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader |
M4 |
SpectraMax M5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader |
M5 |
SpectraMax M5E Multi-Mode Microplate Reader |
M5E |
SpectraTest ABS1 Absorbance Validation Plate |
0200-6117 |
SpectraTest FL1 Fluorescence Validation Plate |
0200-5060 |
SpectraTest LM1 Luminescence Validation Plate |
0200-6186 |
SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume Starter Kit |
0200-6262 |
SpectraDrop™ Micro-Volume HTS Kit |
0200-6267 |
StakMax Microplate Handling Stacker |
StakMax |
Reader Shelf |
9000-0756 |
Related Products & Services of SpectraMax M Series Multi-Mode Microplate Readers
Featured Applications

Cell Viability
Cell viability can be assessed by examining parameters such as cell membrane integrity or the…

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

Fluorescent Protein Detection
Fluorescent proteins have become enormously popular as tools for monitoring biological events in…

SNP Genotyping
Genotyping is a process for analyzing genetic differences among individuals by examining their DNA…
Customer Breakthrough


SUCCESS STORY
American Heritage School uses the SpectraMax M5e reader to conduct scientific research
Ready to get started?
We are ready to help you solve your tough research challenges. Our proven solutions and highly qualified teams across the globe can help advance your next big discovery.
Maximize flexibility in application workflow and experimental design
Contact our specialist today to discuss how to implement a solution that works for you
Ready to get started?
We are ready to help you solve your tough research challenges. Our proven solutions and highly qualified teams across the globe can help advance your next big discovery.
Maximize flexibility in application workflow and experimental design
Contact our specialist today to discuss how to implement a solution that works for you