WHAT IS A MICROPLATE READER, ACTUALLY?

A microplate reader is a high-sensitivity instrument designed to analyze samples contained in microplates of various formats. Microplate formats can vary from 6-1536 wells providing the ability to read many samples in a short time. The measurements can be performed using a variety of detection methods and the most common detection method used in plate readers are absorbance, luminescence and fluorescence. Microplates have become indispensable in modern laboratories and save time, labor, and costs. Microplate readers detect properties of samples in microplate format. The most common properties measure by microplate readers are photometric properties (absorption, transmission, etc.) but microplate readers may detect a wide variety of properties. Microplate readers may handle only specific plate sizes, or multiple plate sizes, so be sure you get one that will meet your long-term needs.