Molecular Devices SpectraMax M2 User Manual page 23

2. Principles of Operation
2.8.2. READ TYPES
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The SpectraMax M2 and SpectraMax M2 can perform four types of read: endpoint,
kinetic, spectrum and well scan. Instrument setup parameters for each read type are
discussed in the SoftMax Pro User Guide.
Endpoint Read
In an endpoint read, a reading of each microplate well is taken at a single or multiple
wavelengths.
Depending on the read mode selected, values can be reported as optical density or
% Transmittance.
Kinetic Read
In a kinetic read the data are collected over time with multiple readings taken at regular
intervals. To achieve the shortest possible interval for kinetic readings, choose wavelengths
in ascending order.
Kinetic analysis can be performed for up to 99 hours. The kinetic read interval depends
upon the instrument setup parameters chosen in SoftMax Pro.
Kinetic analysis has many advantages when determining the relative activity of an enzyme
in different types of microplate assays, including ELISAs and the purification and
characterization of enzymes and enzyme conjugates. Kinetic analysis is capable of
providing improved dynamic range, precision, and sensitivity relative to endpoint
analysis.
Spectrum Read
Spectral analysis measures optical density or % Transmittance across a spectrum of
wavelengths 190 nm to 1000 nm. All spectrum readings are made using the scanning
monochromators of the instrument.
Well Scan
A Well Scan read takes one or more readings of a single well of a microplate at single or
multiple wavelengths. Every option available for Endpoint reads is available for Well
Scans.
Some applications involve the detection of whole cells in large-area tissue culture plates.
Well Scan mode can be used with such microplates to allow maximum surface area
detection in whole-cell assays. Since many cell lines tend to grow as clumps or in the
corners of microplate wells, you can choose from several patterns and define the number
of points to be scanned to work best with your particular application.
Values reported are optical density, %Transmittance, relative fluorescence units (RFU), or
relative luminescence units (RLU).
SpectraMax M2 & SpectraMax M2e Multi-mode Plate Readers User Guide — 0112-0102 Rev. D
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