A fluorometer (or fluorescence spectrometer) measures the fluorescent light emitted from a sample at different wavelengths, after illumination with a Xenon flash lamp or LED. Fluorometers can have different channels for measuring differently colored fluorescent signals, such as green and blue, or ultraviolet and blue. Some can also read fluorescent signals for fast, complex experiments, such as time-resolved fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET).
Fluorometers utilize vials, cuvettes, capillaries, Petri dishes or microplates to read samples. Some even have optional microplate readers, allowing emission scans in up to 384-well plates. Other models hold the sample in place using surface tension. Fluorometers vary in the size of samples they accept, with some using small sample sizes to conserve precious sample materials—down to 0.3 µL. Lightweight, handheld versions are also available that detect fluorescent probes used to quantify protein and nucleic acids.
Fluorometers are designed to meet the demanding needs of a variety of molecular biology and biotechnology applications. For DNA quantification, fluorometers deliver accurate and reliable measurements of DNA concentrations in a variety of sample types. This makes them ideal for key applications, including PCR, next-generation sequencing, cloning experiments, and transformation and transcription studies. By providing high sensitivity for RNA, fluorometers empower researchers to explore gene expression with precision, facilitating insights in both basic research and clinical applications.
Whether conducting PCR, DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing or proteomics studies, researchers need to obtain highly accurate data, especially with challenging or low-concentration experiments. For example some methods, like spectrophotometry, struggle to accurately measure low concentrations of DNA, RNA or proteins, leading to unreliable results. That’s why sensitivity is one of the most—if not the most—critical criteria for fluorometers.
Sensitivity and precision
NovelBeam’s FluoroVerse Fluorometer stands out due to its exceptional sensitivity at an affordable price. The high sensitivity allows it to accurately quantify even the smallest concentrations of DNA, RNA and proteins. The fluorometer is also specifically engineered to achieve low detection limits with high accuracy. This sensitivity and precision make the instrument especially suited for researchers working with limited sample volumes or low-abundance biomolecules, which can be a challenge for other fluorometers. The high precision also ensures reliable results across a variety of molecular biology and biotechnology applications.
Traditionally, one instrument and wavelength is used for protein quantification, while another instrument and wavelength is used for nuclear acid quantification. However, the FluoroVerse Fluorometer allows the quantification of DNA, RNA and protein on the same instrument within a few minutes. This not only makes the process shorter, but also less complicated.
Additionally, the FluoroVerse addresses the challenge of time-consuming and complex quantification techniques. Where traditional methods often require multiple steps, large sample volumes or longer processing times, the FluoroVerse simplifies the process by offering a rapid solution for accurate nucleic acid and protein quantification.