Microplate Reader
A microplate reader measures sample signal in multi-well plate format and, depending on technology, can cover absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, and time-resolved fluorescence. Selection should be based on assay type, plate format, sample count, read speed, and software needs.
Subcategories
Absorbance
The Thermo Scientific Multiskan SkyHigh is a monochromator-based UV-Vis microplate spectrophotometer (200–1000 nm) compatible with 6- to 384-well plates. The Multiskan FC is a filter-based microplate photometer (340–850 nm) and an established/proven model for ELISA and routine work — its age alone shouldn't rule it out.
Multimode
The Thermo Scientific Varioskan LUX is a modular, upgradeable multimode microplate reader with absorbance and fluorescence-intensity capability, and depending on configuration can also cover luminescence, time-resolved fluorescence, and AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA. Exact specs are determined only per actual configuration.
Applications
- ELISA and immunoassays
- Protein quantification
- Enzyme kinetics and cytotoxicity assays
- Drug-discovery workflows
Selection Criteria
- Routine ELISA / absorbance only → Multiskan FC
- UV-Vis + spectral scan + wavelength flexibility → Multiskan SkyHigh
- Fluorescence / luminescence / multimode → Varioskan LUX