Five measurement principles in one reader
POLARstar OPTIMA the multi-detection microplate reader for life science laboratories offers the following five detection modes:
- Fluorescence Polarization
- Fluorescence Intensity - including FRET
- Time-Resolved Fluorescence - including DELFIA™
- High-Performance Luminescence (flash and glow) - including BRET
- Absorbance - UV/Vis with 1 cm path length correction
The POLARstar has all the features of the FLUOstar OPTIMA, plus fluorescence polarization and another very distinctive feature - the POLARstar has two emission photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), which gives the POLARstar a unique advantage because it can read two emission wavelengths simultaneously up to 50 measurement points per second on both channels.
Because the POLARstar does not have to switch filters or polarizers to read the second channel its Simultaneous Dual Emission (SDE) makes FP, FRET, and BRET assays faster and more precise.
Single channel FP readers must essentially read the microplate twice - once for parallel emission and once again for perpendicular emission. But the POLARstar collects both emission vectors simultaneously for a fantastic speed advantage. The same is true for FRET or BRET experiments that have two or more emission wavelengths.
The POLARstar is designed for the widest possible range of non-radioactive labeled applications:
- Ca2+ measurements (e.g. Ca2+ Flux with Fura-2, Indo-1, FLUO-3/4)
- Enzyme activity
- FRET/BRET assays
- Cell toxicity, proliferation and viability
- Protein and nucleic acid quantitation (Bradford, Lowry, DNA, 260 nm / 280 nm)
- ATP quantification
- Immunoassays, ELISA
- Luciferase, dual luciferase, BRET with simultaneous dual emission detection, DLReady certified
- ORAC and ABEL antioxidant assays
- Fluorescent proteins, including FRETs, e.g., CFP/YFP
And many more assays
By integrating a high intensity xenon flash lamp with sophisticated light guide technology the POLARstar OPTIMA covers the full wavelength range from 230 to 900 nm for both excitation and emission. The POLARstar OPTIMA can read all plate formats from 6- up to 384-well plates in all five detection modes, and 1536-well plate reading is possible in both fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence mode.
The automatic optic switching (AOS) feature within the software enables controlled changing of detection mode and switching from top to bottom reading. The "QuickStart" mode allows users to read plates with just 3 mouse clicks. Impressive well-scanning software allows cell-based assays to be performed with ease.
Incubation
Stable and uniform incubation is achieved by temperature-regulated heating plates above and below the entire microplate movement area. The top incubation plate is at a slightly higher temperature than the bottom plate to eliminate or reduce condensation when lids or sealers are used. Incubation up to 60°C is available for users with elevated temperature needs and is the highest available on any microplate reader.
On-board reagent injectors
The POLARstar OPTIMA can be equipped with up to two fully integrated syringe injectors (no bulky add on boxes beside or on top of the microplate reader). These can be used to deliver agonists, substrates, enzymes - even cells, for advanced microplate assays. Injection speed and timing is fully adjustable within the control software. Delivery volumes between 5 -350 µL in 0.5 µL increments are individually adjustable for each well, allowing the user to produce dilution schemes, concentration ranges, etc.
Endpoint, slow, and fast kinetic measurements
Kinetic applications can be defined with interval times from 20 ms per read (50 points per second) to several hours allowing you to capture any kinetic event. You can capture a fast calcium signal that happens in a few seconds or measure bacterial growth over a period of days. In addition you can define kinetic windows that have variable data frequencies allowing you collect data at a high resolution in regions of interest, and less frequently in areas of relatively little change.
Multi-color detection
The POLARstar OPTIMA can be used to measure up to eight fluorophores/lumiphores/
chromophores per well allowing you to perform 260 nm / 280 nm, SNPs, and other multichromatic assays easily. With the simultaneous dual emission reads FRET or BRET assays can be done extremely quickly when compared to competing readers - no other reader in this price range offers simultaneous dual emission.
Stacker and robot compatibility
BMG LABTECH´s standardized reader footprint and robotic software interface make it easy to integrate the OPTIMA series into all existing robotic systems. The Stacker II with 50 plates capacity and optional barcode reader, is the modular attachment that can be integrated with the POLARstar OPTIMA for medium throughput plate handling.
Software
BMG OPTIMA Windows™ based software has an easy to use control package and powerful data evaluation segment.
The control software allows flexible definition of microplate layouts, filter selection, interval and injection times, as well as measurement frequency, heating, and shaking parameters. During measurement, it is possible to observe the data with the Real Time well display feature, which allows viewing of raw values, ratios, curves, or even color coded pictorials.
The evaluation software provides all the macros needed for fast data calculation. Five pre-programmed worksheets allow averaging of replicates, blank subtraction, undilutions, signal plots, slopes, max values, quantitation, averages, %CVs, standard curves, and calculation of unknowns and much more.
