Molecular Devices SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator's Manual
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Molecular Devices SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator's Manual

Dual-scanning microplate spectrofluorometer
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SpectraMax
®
GEMINI EM
Dual-Scanning
Microplate Spectrofluorometer
Operator's Manual
1311 Orleans Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94089
Part # 0112-0088
Rev. A

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  • Page 1 SpectraMax ® GEMINI EM Dual-Scanning Microplate Spectrofluorometer Operator’s Manual 1311 Orleans Drive Sunnyvale, California 94089 Part # 0112-0088 Rev. A...
  • Page 2 2) All labor charges to repair the product for a period of one (1) year from the original date of delivery will be paid by Molecular Devices Corporation. 3) This warranty covers the SpectraMax GEMINI EM instrument only and does not extend to any computer, printer, software, reagents, or disposables used with the instrument.
  • Page 3 Molecular Devices Corporation service facility. You must call or write to the nearest Molecular Devices Corporation service facility to schedule warranty service. You may call Molecular Devices Corporation at the telephone number or address below to locate the nearest service facility.
  • Page 4 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Assays ........3-5 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 6 Removing the Drawer Adapter ....4-7 Moving the SpectraMax GEMINI EM ... . .4-7 Chapter 5: Troubleshooting .

  • Page 7: Figures

    Figures Figure 1.1 SpectraMax GEMINI EM..... 1-4 Figure 1.2 Control Panel....... 1-4 Figure 1.3 Microplate Drawer (Shown with Adapter...

  • Page 8: Tables

    Table 3.1. : Emission Cutoff Filter Default Settings ..3-9 Table 5.1. : Error Codes and Resolution ....5-3 viii SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 9: Conventions Used In This Manual

    Conventions The names of keys that appear on the SpectraMax GEMINI EM control panel are shown in boxed Helvetica type. Example: Used in this [Setup] Italic and boldface type are used for emphasis. Examples: “Press carefully to Manual engage,” “ Do not press down. ”...
  • Page 10 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 11: Chapter 1: Instrument Description

    Chapter 1: Instrument Description Introduction ......1-3 Component Description ....1-4 The Control Panel .
  • Page 12 Chapter 1 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 13: Introduction

    Microplates having 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384 wells can be used in the SpectraMax GEMINI EM. Top or bottom detection is available at the touch of a button. Detection of species collected on membrane plates is also possible.

  • Page 14: Component Description

    Chapter 1 Component The main components of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM described in this Description manual are: • The control panel • The microplate drawer • Optical system • The back panel (connections and power switch) Back Panel Control Panel...
  • Page 15 45 seconds. If you plan to open the drawer during a kinetic read, first determine the minimum read interval allowed and then increase the setting by a minimum of 45 seconds. The drawer will close auto- matically after this interval before the next read. SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 16: The Microplate Drawer

    (see Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting”). Microplates The SpectraMax GEMINI EM can accommodate standard 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well microplates. Black-walled, clear-bottom or all black microplates are generally recommended for fluorescence assays because they have lower backgrounds than clear plates.

  • Page 17: The Optical System

    Figure 1.4: Components of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM Optical System 1) The excitation light source is a xenon flashlamp. (Note that the lamp is off when luminescence mode is selected.) 2) The light passes through a band-pass filter which reduces the amount of stray light to the excitation monochromator.

  • Page 18: The Back Panel

    Parallel Port Serial Port Label Figure 1.5: Components on the Back Panel of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM The following components are located on the back panel of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM: • Power switch : a rocker switch, labeled I/O (for on and off, respectively).

  • Page 19: Principles Of Operation

    The SpectraMax GEMINI EM incorporates many features designed to restrict interference from reflected excitation light.

  • Page 20: Wavelengths

    (gray area) and on to the PMT, resulting in a purer emission signal and more accurate data. The SpectraMax GEMINI EM allows scanning of both excitation and emission wavelengths, using separate tunable monochromators. One benefit of being able to scan emission spectra is that you can assess more accurately whether the emission is, in fact, the expected fluorophore, or multiple fluorophores,...

  • Page 21: Luminescence

    Functional The SpectraMax GEMINI EM is designed to be operated using SoftMax Pro Description software running on a computer connected to the instrument. Stand-alone functions are limited to setting and enabling temperature control and opening or closing the microplate drawer.

  • Page 22: Temperature Regulation

    The SpectraMax GEMINI EM has been designed to regulate the temperature of the microplate chamber from 4°C above ambient to 45°C. Upon power up, when the incubator is off, the temperature in the SpectraMax GEMINI EM microplate chamber is ambient and isothermal. Turning on the incubator by...

  • Page 23: Automix

    Computer Control The SpectraMax GEMINI EM is equipped with an 8-pin DIN RS-232 serial port through which the computer communicates with and controls the instru- ment. (Different types of cables are available for connecting to different types of computers—see Appendix A, “Cables and Accessories.”) SoftMax Pro soft-...

  • Page 24: Specifications

    Average lamp lifetime 2 years normal operation (estimate) Detector Photomultiplier (R-3896) Read time 96 wells in <15 seconds (measurement type may extend read time) Shaker Time 0–999 seconds Temperature control (chamber) Ambient +4°C to 45°C Ramp up to 37°C <20 minutes 1-14 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 25 Size (h × w × d) 13.5" (340 mm) × 16.5" (420 mm) × 16.5" (420 mm) Weight 35 lb (16 kg) Power consumption 500 VA maximum Line voltage and frequency 90–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual 1-15...

  • Page 26: Glossary Of Terms

    A material which absorbs light energy of a characteristic wavelength, under- goes an electronic state change, and emits light of a longer wavelength. Gain The amount of increase in signal power expressed as the ratio of output to input. 1-16 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 27 SoftMax Pro An integrated software program (from Molecular Devices Corporation) that is used to control and collect data from the SpectraMax GEMINI EM instru- ment. Stokes Shift The difference between the wavelengths of the excitation and emission peaks.
  • Page 28 Chapter 1 1-18 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 29: Chapter 2: Installation

    Chapter 2: Installation Installation Warnings....2-3 Installation Cautions ....2-3 Unpacking .
  • Page 30 Chapter 2 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 31: Installation Warnings

    After examining the carton, place it on a flat surface in the upright position. Open the top of the box and lift the SpectraMax GEMINI EM, along with the packing materials around the ends, up and out of the shipping box. Remove the packing material from both ends of the instrument and set the instrument down carefully.

  • Page 32: Installing The Drawer Adapter

    Chapter 2 3) Insert the female end of the power cord into the power receptacle at the rear of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM. Connect the male end to a grounded power outlet of the appropriate voltage. Molecular Devices recommends that you use a surge protector between the power cord and the grounded power outlet.

  • Page 33: Removing The Drawer Adapter

    Adapter Incorrect insertion or removal of the adapter may cause dam- CAUTION: age to the microplate drawer of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM. 1) Turn power to the instrument on. 2) Press the button on the front panel or activate the drawer open [Drawer] command in SoftMax Pro software.
  • Page 34 Chapter 2 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 35 Chapter 3: Operation Prepare for a Reading....3-3 Turn the Instrument and Computer On 3-3 Set the Temperature ....3-3 Read the Microplate .
  • Page 36 Chapter 3 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 37: Chapter 3: Operation

    Turn the Instrument and Computer On Reading The power switch for the SpectraMax GEMINI EM is located on the back panel. Press the rocker switch to the on position. The instrument will auto- matically perform diagnostic checks to ensure that it is functioning correctly.

  • Page 38: Operation Overview

    Overview dures required to perform an assay using the SpectraMax GEMINI EM. 1) Turn on the power switch of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM (located on the back panel). The microplate drawer will open automatically. 2) If you wish to regulate the temperature inside the microplate chamber,...
  • Page 39 PMT voltage for varying concentrations of sample in the plate. • The chamber of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM is isothermal at ambient as well as at elevated temperatures. The temperature in the reading chamber may be adjusted from 4°C above ambient to 45°C.

  • Page 40: Figure 3.1 Plot Of Rfu Vs. Wavelength

    570, 590, 610, 630, 665, or 695 nm. The cutoff value should be near the maximum emission wavelength (preferably between the excitation wave- length and the maximal emission wavelength) but at least 35 nm greater than the excitation wavelength. SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 41 fixed at 485 nm and emission was scanned from 490 nm to 560 nm (buffer blanks are not shown in this plot). Table 3.1 following lists default settings for the emission cutoff filters. SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 42: Figure 3.2 Effects Of Cutoff Filters On Fluorescein

    Chapter 3 Figure 3.2: Effects of Cutoff Filters on Fluorescein. Emission was scanned from 490 to 560 nm; excitation was fixed at 485 nm. SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 43 530 - 549 550 - 569 570 - 589 590 - 609 610 - 629 630 - 664 665 - 694 695 - 850 Note: For spectrum mode, the default is "manual" (no automatic cutoff). SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 44 Chapter 3 3-10 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 45: Chapter 4: Maintenance

    Installing the Drawer Adapter ... 4-6 Removing the Drawer Adapter ..4-7 Moving the SpectraMax GEMINI EM ..4-7...
  • Page 46 Chapter 4 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 47: Technical Support

    If you have any problems using the SpectraMax GEMINI EM Dual-Scanning Microplate Spectrophotometer, in the U.S., contact our Technical Services group at 1-800-635-5577; elsewhere contact your local representative.

  • Page 48: Cleaning The Fan Filter

    SpectraMax GEMINI EM. If power failed while the SpectraMax GEMINI EM was already on, check that the power cord is not loose or disconnected and that power to the power outlet is functioning properly.

  • Page 49: Figure 4.1 Power Switch, Fuse Box, And Power Receptacle

    7) It is possible that only one of the fuses may have blown. Molecular Devices recommends that you replace both fuses, however, to ensure con- tinued proper operation. Pull both fuses out of the holder and discard them. SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 50: Installing The Drawer Adapter

    Adapter Incorrect insertion or removal of the adapter may cause CAUTION: damage to the microplate drawer of the SpectraMax GEMINI EM. The corner cut-out must be in the lower left corner where the plate pusher is located. 1) Turn power to the instrument on.

  • Page 51: Removing The Drawer Adapter

    SoftMax Pro software. Figure 4.5: Microplate Drawer without Adapter 3) Remove the adapter plate. Moving the If you need to relocate the SpectraMax GEMINI EM, follow these steps. SpectraMax GEMINI EM The SpectraMax GEMINI EM weighs approximately WARNING: 35 pounds (16 kilograms).
  • Page 52 Chapter 4 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 53: Chapter 5: Troubleshooting

    Chapter 5: Troubleshooting Error Codes and Resolutions ... . 5-3 Opening the Drawer Manually... 5-4...
  • Page 54 Chapter 5 SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 55: Error Codes And Resolutions

    This chapter lists error codes that may occur while using the instrument, fol- lowed by their most likely causes and remedies. Maintenance procedures are described in Chapter 4. For problems with the SpectraMax GEMINI EM that are not listed here, in the U.S., contact Molecular Devices Technical Services group at 1-800-635-5577;...

  • Page 56: Opening The Drawer Manually

    Chapter 5 For all other error messages (codes not listed in the table above), please con- tact your local Molecular Devices representative for assistance. Opening the If an error occurs while the drawer is closed and you need to remove a micro-...

  • Page 57: Appendix A: Cables And Accessories

    Cables ....... .A-3 Items Available for Use with the SpectraMax GEMINI EM....A-3...
  • Page 58 Appendix A SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 59: Cables

    Cables and Accessories Cables Molecular Devices recommends that you use high-quality, double-shielded cables to connect the SpectraMax GEMINI EM to the computer. Choose cables that meet the following requirements: Serial Interface Cable (contact Molecular Devices for specific pin-out requirements) Macintosh: Male DB8 to male DB8...
  • Page 60 Appendix A SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 61 Appendix B Common Wavelengths for Fluorescence and Luminescence Fluorescence ......B-3 Luminescence ......B-3...
  • Page 62 Appendix B SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 63 Common Wavelengths for Fluorescence and Lumines- Values in this table are based on the literature. You may wish to scan NOTE: your fluorochrome of interest in the SpectraMax GEMINI EM to determine the optimal excitation and emission wavelengths for your application.
  • Page 64 Appendix B SpectraMax GEMINI EM Operator’s Manual...

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