Chapter 1: Introduction - Molecular Devices SpectraMax ABS User Manual

Chapter 1: Introduction

The SpectraMax® ABS Microplate Spectrophotometer provides rapid and sensitive
measurements of a variety of analytes across a wide range of concentrations. The
SpectraMax® ABS Plus Microplate Spectrophotometer not only works on a wider range of (190
nm - 1000 nm) but it also adds the ability to read cuvettes. These instruments measure the
optical density (OD) of samples at selected wavelengths in a single read mode.
The high sensitivity and flexibility of the instrument make it useful for applications in the fields
of biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, and microbiology. Typical
applications include ELISA, nucleic acid, protein, enzymatic type homogeneous and
heterogeneous assays, microbial growth, endotoxin testing, and pipettor calibration.
The SpectraMax ABS supports the Visible Absorbance (ABS) read mode while the SpectraMax
ABS Plus supports the UV and Visible Absorbance (ABS) read mode with the following read
types:
Endpoint: At a single point in time.
Kinetic: Over a specified period of time.
Spectral Scan: Over a specified wavelength range.
The SpectraMax ABS reads 96-well plates.
The SpectraMax ABS Plus reads 96-well plates, 384-well plates, and cuvettes.
CAUTION! Although not recommended, you can also use strip well plates in both the
SpectraMax ABS and the SpectraMax ABS Plus.
You can integrate the SpectraMax ABS and the SpectraMax ABS Plus with the StakMax®
Microplate Handling System.
CAUTION! To prevent damage to the instrument, the height of the plate must not
exceed 17 mm, including the lid if the plate is lidded.
You use the Shake feature to mix the contents of the wells in a plate before each read cycle,
which makes it possible to perform kinetic analysis of solid-phase, enzyme-mediated
reactions. (Shake is not critical for liquid-phase reactions.)
Temperature controls allow the instrument to regulate the temperature of the plate chamber
from 5°C above ambient to 45°C.
CAUTION! Never touch the internal optic mirrors, lenses, filters, or cables. The optics are
extremely delicate, and critical to the function of the instrument.
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