berthold.com multilabel plate reader is an advanced laboratory instrument designed to detect and quantify multiple signal types from microwell plates. It is widely used in life sciences, drug discovery, and clinical diagnostics due to its ability to perform various detection modes, including absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, and more. These readers enable high-throughput screening, making them essential for research and pharmaceutical applications.

Key Features of a Multilabel Plate Reader

1. Multiple Detection Modes

Unlike single-mode plate readers, multilabel plate readers can detect signals from various assay types, including:

• Absorbance: Measures light absorption in ELISA, protein quantification, and colorimetric assays.
• Fluorescence Intensity (FI): Used in DNA quantification, protein-protein interactions, and cellular assays.
• Luminescence: Detects chemiluminescent reactions in cell viability and ATP assays.
• Time-Resolved Fluorescence (TRF): Enhances sensitivity in fluorescence assays.
• Fluorescence Polarization (FP): Measures molecular binding events in drug screening.
• AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA: Used for protein interaction and biomarker detection.

2. High Sensitivity and Dynamic Range

Multilabel readers offer high sensitivity and wide dynamic ranges, allowing them to detect both low and high signal intensities. This ensures accurate quantification in assays with varying signal strengths.

3. Compatibility with Different Plate Formats

These readers support various microwell plate formats (6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 384, and 1536 wells), accommodating different assay volumes and throughput needs.

4. Automated and High-Throughput Capabilities

Many multilabel plate readers integrate with robotic systems for automated liquid handling and data processing, making them ideal for high-throughput screening (HTS) in drug discovery.

5. Temperature Control and Kinetic Assays

Some models include temperature control (e.g., for live-cell assays) and real-time kinetic measurement features, allowing researchers to monitor biological reactions over time.

Applications of Multilabel Plate Readers

These versatile instruments are used in numerous scientific fields, including:

• Drug Discovery: Screening potential drugs through biochemical and cell-based assays.
• Molecular Biology: DNA, RNA, and protein quantification using fluorescence or absorbance-based assays.
• Clinical Diagnostics: ELISA-based disease detection and biomarker analysis.
• Cell-Based Research: Measuring cell viability, apoptosis, and signaling pathways.

Conclusion

Multilabel plate readers are powerful tools for high-throughput research, offering flexibility, sensitivity, and automation for a wide range of applications. Their ability to detect multiple signal types makes them indispensable in modern laboratories, accelerating discoveries in biotechnology, pharmacology, and healthcare.