Product News: New Multimode Microplate Reader Delivers Automation, Simplicity and Versatility for Microplate Assays

Highly intuitive software combines built-in safety and intelligence for exceptional performance

A new multimode microplate reader with highly intuitive software delivers automated and versatile functionality to bioscience researchers performing a variety of microplate assays. The Thermo Scientific Varioskan LUX multimode microplate reader with new Thermo Scientific SkanIt Software is designed to simplify data acquisition and analysis and accelerate consistency and reliability in assay results.

“The Varioskan LUX with SkanIt software builds upon our long history in pioneering microplate reader technology innovations,” said Hanna Grano-Fabritius, business director, Sample Preparation and Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “With advancements including integrated smart control technology and automatic dynamic range selection, the Varioskan LUX is designed to simplify set-up while optimizing performance to deliver exceptional usability and data reliability.”

Thermo Scientific Varioskan LUX with SkanIt Software is making its debut at SLAS2015, the 4th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening, booth 423 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Varioskan LUX is equipped with smart safety controls to help keep research on track. These technologies include automated plate check, built-in shaker speed control, and automatic prime check and position sensors for the built-in dispensers, which are designed to identify and notify the user of potential errors that could compromise research. The Varioskan LUX’s SkanIt software monitors and captures measurement data throughout the run to reduce the risk of wasting expensive reagents, samples and time.

Varioskan LUX also offers an innovative automatic dynamic range selection feature that eases protocol set-up by eliminating the need for users to manually adjust sensitivity settings for each assay. The instrument automatically selects the optimal reading range based on signal intensity in the well, using settings to obtain maximum sensitivity. This helps ensure that results are comparable from assay to assay—and day to day—even when a single assay exhibits very high and very low signals. Additional product features include:
• Modular design with up to five measurement technologies: absorbance, fluorescence intensity, luminescence, time-resolved fluorescence and AlphaScreen®;
• Integrated gas module: optimal conditions for cell-based assays, gas concentrations reported in session run log for traceability;
• Extensive instrument self-diagnostics and auto-calibration: functions checked at every start-up for consistent performance, auto-calibration designed to ensure consistent, comparable results from day-to-day.