The SpectraMax M5 aims to allow life science and drug discovery researchers to increase their productivity by giving them multiple detection modes in one compact instrument. With broader assay capability, the system can be used as a research tool to optimize assays in early ADME or quality control, or used as a screening instrument.
Launched as a response to customer demand, the reader becomes the latest addition to the company's SpectraMax product line and is primarily aimed at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as academia. The system is specifically designed to be a multi-detection microplate reader, with primary applications for fluorescence intensity, absorbance, luminescence, Time-Resolved Fluorescence (TRF) and Fluorescence Polarization (FP) assays
Speaking at the product launch at London's Lab Automation Europe show, Jeff Whitmore, European sales director for Molecular Devices told DrugResearcher.com: "The SpectraMax M5 has optical performance which is comparable to our dedicated, top-of-the-line readers for all five of its primary detection modes."
"The system is the only monochromatic instrument on the market to feature all five major plate modes. This adds to its versatility and extends its capabilities to rival more expensive equipment."
The SpectraMax M5 uses standard microplates to read endpoint, kinetic, spectrum, multi-wavelength and well-area scanning. For life sciences research, the system is well suited for ELISA, nucleic acid, protein quantitation, enzymatic, cell viability and proliferation assays. Kinase, reporter gene, FRET and other homogeneous and heterogeneous assays can also be run.
The SpectraMax M5 features a triple-mode cuvette port and a single-read command capability for experiments requiring multiple detection parameters. The system also gives users the flexibility to choose wavelengths between 200 nm and 1000 nm.
The system utilizes the data acquisition and analysis software SoftMax Pro Enterprise which complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance tools specifications. The SpectraMax M5 can also be integrated with Molecular Devices SynchroMax ET plate handling robot allowing up to 320 plates to be run without interruption, with multiple assay parameters on each plate.
The M5 is expected to further confirm Molecular Devices as one of the leading players in the microplate market both in Europe and Worldwide. The company recently strengthened its grip with the June acquisition of Axon Instruments adding tools for cellular neurosciences and genomics research as well as the PatchXpress, OpusXpress and ImageXpress product lines.
Whitmore said: "We currently estimate Molecular Devices to hold a 40 per cent worldwide share and a 30 per cent European share of the microplate reader market. With a current growth rate of 10-15 per cent each year, we can see these systems to become an industry standard in the near future."
Molecular Device's closest rivals Tecan already have a microplate reader, Safire2, on the market. The system also combines a modular format to handle a wide range of high-speed fluorescence techniques. Tecan has designed it to eliminate the need to switch instruments when moving from assay development to high throughput screening.
The system is available now from Molecular Device's website at a cost of €65 000.