Varioskan ALF Multimode Microplate Reader

Fast. Flexible. Easy to use.

Our newest multimode microplate reader is a versatile, entry level multimode microplate reader for most common absorbance, turbidimetric, fluorescence, and luminescence microplate assays. Photometric optical design is based on a xenon flash lamp and monochromator for enabling continuous wavelength selection from the UV through the visible range up to 1,000 nm. The broad wavelength ranges enable many common assays including nucleic acid and protein quantification, bacterial growth curves, ELISA, and cell viability.

In Varioskan ALF, fluorescence and luminescence measurements are performed with filter-based optics for optimal specificity and sensitivity. The system comes with three pre-installed excitation and emission filter sets suitable for many common fluorometric applications like Thermo Scientific Quant-IT DNA quantitation assays, PrestoBlue and AlamarBlue cell viability assays. Additionally, five open filter positions are available for customized fluorometric and luminometric measurements. Filter slots are easy to access from the instrument side and no additional tools are required for filter exchange. Also commonly used FRET and BRET assays are easy to set up and perform thanks to Varioskan ALF unique filter-based optics design.

 

The automatic gain adjustment feature selects the ideal fluorometric or luminometric reading range for your instrument based on signal intensity in the well, eliminating the need to manually adjust measurement parameters. The results are consistent no matter what signals are measured.

Features

In addition to being fast, flexible, and easy to use, the Varioskan ALF multimode reader also features:

  • Kinetic and endpoint measurements for a variety of applications.
  • Spectral scanning for photometric measurements.
  • Separate optimized measurement modes for absorbance and turbidimetric measurements.
  • A self-diagnostics system includes set of initialization tests and adjustments ensuring instrument readiness for operation.
  • Compatible with 6 to 384-well microplates with and without lids.
  • Reads µDrop and µDrop Duo plates for microvolume analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins.
  • Performs onboard shaking and incubation for temperature-critical assays.
  • Operated through SkanIt software
    • Unlimited installation on multiple computers, no annual fee required.
    • Includes an extensive cloud-based library of ready-made protocols.
    • Two editions available—Research Edition for life sciences, Drug Discovery Edition with features for compliance with 21 CFR Part 11.
    • Multiple user interface languages available.
    • Automation compatibility for integration with automation interface.
  • Thermo Scientific verification plates provide comprehensive and traceable validation of the instrument optical performance. Ready-made SkanIt software protocols provide easy to read reports with defined measurement parameter limits.

Specifications

Category Attribute Description 
Absorbance Light source Xenon flash lamp
Wavelength selection Monochromator
Wavelength range 200–1,000 nm
Bandwidth 2.5 nm
Wavelength setting resolution 1 nm
Wavelength accuracy ±2 nm
Stray light, @230 nm <0.05%
Linearity (absorbance), @450 nm 96-well plate: 0–2.5 Abs, 2.0%
Accuracy (absorbance), @450 nm 96-well plate: For 0–2.0 Abs: ±(1.0% + 0.003 Abs)
For 2.0–2.5 Abs: ±2.0%
Precision (absorbance), @450 nm SD <0.003 Abs or CV <1.0%, whichever is greater
DNA sensitivity @260 nm* 96-well half area plate: <1 ng/μL
Turbidimetric sensitivity* 96-well plate: <5 formazin turbidity units (FTUs)
Measurement speed**

96-well plates

Fast mode: ≤10 seconds

Precision mode: ≤26 seconds
Spectral scanning speed Fast mode: ≤16 seconds from 200–1,000 nm with 1 nm steps
Precision mode: ≤200 seconds from 200–1,000 nm with 1 nm steps
Fluorescence intensity  Dynamic range ≥6 decades
Sensitivity* Black 384-well plate: 0.35 fmol/well fluorescein
Wavelength

Excitation wavelength: 200–710 nm

Emission wavelength: 210–720 nm
Wavelength selection Filter wheels with three factory filter pairs and five optional filter positions
Factory installed filter pairs [wavelength (nm)/FWHM†(nm)] Coumarin family filter pair
Excitation 345/25
Em 450/40
Fluorescein family filter pair
Excitation 485/15
Emission 525/15
Resorufin family filter pair
Excitation 555/15
Emission 615/45
Dual label measurements speed <1 second
Measurement speed, fixed dynamic range** 96-well plates: ≤20 seconds
Measurement time 10–1,000 ms
Luminescense Wavelength selection Filter wheel with no filter and five optional filter positions
Wavelength range 200–720 nm
Dynamic range ˃6 decades
Sensitivity* White 96-well plate: <275 amol/well ATP
Crosstalk (96-well white plate) White 96-well plate: ≤0.1%
Measurement speed, fixed dynamic range** 96-well plates: ≤20 seconds
Measurement time 10 ms to 10 seconds
Incubator Temperature range From ambient 2°C to 45°C (room temperature 25°C)
Liquid warm-up time 96-well plate, 200 μL water/well: <60 minutes from 25°C to 37°C
Mean temperature of wells at 37°C ±0.5°C
Plate temperature uniformity at 37°C <1.0°C
Shaker Shaking modes Linear, orbital, dual orbital
Shaking speeds Low, medium, high
Shaking type Continuous or pulsed

* Sensitivity specification values that represent the median of observed factory-tested values.

** Minimum kinetic interval time from A1 back to A1.

† FWHM: full width at half maximum.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.