With the range of options available, most scientists can find something that fits many—if not all—of their needs in automating immunoassays.

Learn what accessories are most common and more from our latest microplate reader survey results.

Learn the most common handler types, and more in the results of our 2015 survey on this key microplate technology

The number and types of cell-based assays (CBAs) are as diverse as a cell’s observable biochemical activity.

Whether you need a reader or a handler, Lab Manager's resource guide can help when purchasing microplate technology.

Cytation™ 5 is a uniquely integrated, configurable system that combines automated digital widefield microscopy with conventional multi-mode microplate detection to provide phenotypic cellular information and well-based quantitative data. 

Problem: Microplate readers are a common lab commodity; they’re used across research and drug discovery to detect the occurrence of biological events. However, the potential for experimental errors is a frustrating reality. An incorrect dispensing position, for example, will provide unreliable results—requiring researchers to re-run the assay or, if undetected, lead to faulty data. The same is true if the dispenser isn’t properly primed.

Cell-based assays have become the go-to technology for pharmaceutical, environmental, and toxicology labs. Cells are far less costly to maintain than test animals and don’t involve the ethical considerations. But the complexity of cell-based assays compared with chemical or biochemical assays presents distinct challenges to laboratory managers.

At SLAS2015, the 4th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening, attendees got to check out a particularly versatile multimode microplate reader.

In virtually all research processes in which analytes and reagents are mixed in microplates, precise information on the starting volume in each plate well is critical

Automated liquid handling (ALH) systems span the range from semi-automated multichannel pipettors to room-sized systems. The industry is trending toward versatile, modular ALH systems—seemingly for every budget. Likewise, instrumentation, software, and methods have followed the trend toward greater user accessibility.

Microplate readers are commonly used in biological research for assay development (39.4%), measurement of biomolecule concentration (34.5%), cell biology (25%), biomarker research (24.0%), and DNA quantification (20% of survey respondents). In addition, microplate readers find use in disease study, IVF, proteomics, PCR setup, and stem cell research. With multiple read modes available and numerous accessories, choosing a microplate reader that meets your current and future needs can prove a daunting task.