New Low-Volume Microtiter Plate Extends Spectrophotometer Range

A new microtiter plate has been released to the market that allows for 16 simultaneous analyses of samples with volumes as low as two microliters.

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Milford, MA, USA) microDrop Plate was designed to extend the range of the company’s Multiskan GO and Varioskan Flash spectrophotometers for samples in with very small volumes.

The Multiskan GO UV/Vis microplate and cuvette spectrophotometer instrument that can support endpoint, kinetic, and spectral scanning assays at very fast speeds (complete spectrum analysis of a sample in less than 10 seconds). Measurements at controlled temperatures can be made at any wavelength between 200 nm and 1,000 nm.

The Varioskan Flash spectral scanning multimode reader includes fluorescence intensity, time-resolved fluorescence (TRF), photometric and optional luminometric detection technologies. It is designed for optimization and analysis of various assays, such as binding assays, molecular biology assays, enzyme kinetic studies, ion-channel, and cell signaling assays.

The microDrop plate provides a straightforward way of analyzing up to 16 microliter-scale samples simultaneously on either of these instruments. Double stranded DNA can be detected at concentrations varying from a few micrograms to a few milligrams per milliliter, without needing to perform any dilutions. These characteristics make the microDrop plate an excellent vehicle for photometric DNA or RNA quantitation and purity analysis.

Samples are easily pipetted onto the microDrop plate using a single- or eight-channel pipette. The plate is easily wiped clean, making it convenient for serial measurements. Additionally, the microDrop plate is equipped with a cuvette slot, enabling endpoint, spectral and kinetic measurements in a standard rectangular cuvette.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.