Microplate readers read biological, chemical or physical events that occur on a microtiter plate. A wide range of assays can be performed using a microplate reader including ELISAs, protein cell growth assays, nucleic acid and protein quantification, enzyme activity measurement, immunoassays, and screening of drug compounds and targets, among others. This makes these readers a staple in research labs specializing in drug discovery, bioassay validation, manufacturing, etc...
Considerations for purchasing a microplate reader
The first thing to consider when purchasing a microplate reader is the detection method. Microplates typically measure absorbance, fluorescence intensity, or luminescence, but models that measure time-resolved fluorescence and fluorescence polarization are also available for purchase. The type of detection to use will depend on the application. ELISAs and protein assays, for example, require absorbance to be measured while luciferase-based gene expression assays will require luminescence to be measured.
Other things to consider include plate format – 96-well and 384-well plates are the norm but higher and lower capacity plate sizes are also available, speed and throughput needed, type of software, and whether or not multiple plates or wells can be read simultaneously.
Find, compare, and request a quote for microplate readers across leading suppliers at Labcompare; including access to product citations, related published figures, and first-hand reviews from our scientific community.
Articles
- Talk to Tecan @ SLAS2014 (002-14)
- Multiskan Spectrophotometer
- Review of the Plate Reader
- High Performance Microplate Reader
- High-Performance Plate Reader
- Easy to Use Instrument for Metabolic Assays, Some Weakness with Repeatability
- VANTAstar™ Flexible Multi-mode Microplate Reader
- BioTek Expands Asia Pacific Office
- Nephelostar Plus PR Use Light-Scattering to Measure Compound Solubility or Microbial Growth in a Nephelometric Microplate Reader
- The Microplate Reader Durable Enough to Withstand Changes in Gravity
- Molecular Devices Announces Development of a Novel Platform Combining a Plate Reader with an Imaging Cytometer
- Top Notch Performance with Wide Variety of Wavelength Ranges
- LUMIstar Omega Luminescence Plate Reader
- BMG LABTECH to showcase the SPECTROstar Nano and present two workshops at the LabAutomation 2011 conference
- Receive a Free Ultra-Fast, Full Spectrum Absorbance Microplate Reader from BMG LABTECH for Your Ideas
- BMG LABTECH, Proud Sponsor of the SBS Conference 2011 in Orlando, Florida
- SPECTROstar Nano delivered to first Winner
- Gen5™ Version 2.0 Data Analysis Software Now Available from BioTek
- The World of Microplate Reading at your Fingertips!
- TTP LabTech Showcases Innovative Technology at ASCB 2011
- INTEGRA Announces ARABLAB Introductions
- Unwinding the Genetic Clock with Tecan’s Infinite® M1000 Plate Reader
- Spectrofluorometers: Tools for Measuring Fluorescence Signature
- CLARIOstar® Plus High Performance Monochromator Multimode Microplate Reader
- Neuroscience 2019: Gene Therapy, Brain Organoids, Neuroinflammation, and Technology Highlights
- Great Plate Reader
- Any Assay, Any Wavelength, Any Bandwidth with the New CLARIOstar® High Performance Microplate Reader
- Award-Winning Cytation 3 Now Offers Expanded Imaging Features!
- BioTek Highlights Automated Workflow Solutions at SLAS 2014
- Reading and Imaging are Combined in BioTek's Revolutionary, New Cytation™3
- FLUOstar Omega Multidetection Microplate Reader with UV/Vis Spectrometer
- Synergy™ NEO: The Smart Choice for Today's HTS Applications
- Berthold Launches TriStar² Microplate Reader
- Tecan launches AlphaScreen® option for Infinite® F200 PRO reader
- Meet the Microplate Specialists at Pittcon 2013
- Apollo ELISA Reader
- Abcam ELISA Assay Methods for use with Biochrom Microplate Readers
- BMG LABTECH goes mobile
- BioTek Inducted into Deane C. Davis Vermont Business Hall of Fame
- Last Chance to Win a SPECTROstar Nano Microplate, Cuvette and Low-Volume Absorbance Reader
- BioTek Takes Part in White House "Win the Future" Roundtable Discussions
- Join BMG LABTECH at MipTec 2011
- Sunrise™ in Mongolia
- The Gold Standard for HTS Microplate Readers, the PHERAstar FS, Shines at SLAS2012
- BioTek's Cytation™ 3 Named Edison Awards Finalist
- Good Plate Reader
- Post-Analytica PR
- Experience New and Innovative Microplate Reader Technology at ELRIG 2012
- BioTek Congratulates New Zealand Epoch Giveaway Winner!
- Multifunctional Microplate Reader
- Affordable System for Many Common Assays
- Easy Double Wavelength Analysis
- PerkinElmer Launches the EnSpire® Multimode Plate Reader with Label-Free Detection Technology for Drug Discovery Research
- BioTek Instruments Announces Establishment of Korean Office
- Tecan's New Infinite® M1000 – The Future of Microplate Detection Has Just Arrived
- A Big Win for Small Particles: A SPECTROstar Nano Awarded to the University of Helsinki for Nanoparticle Research
- New Biochrom EZ Read 400 Flexi Reader supports your specialized microplate applications
- BMG LABTECH to showcase Innovative Microplate Reading Solutions at ELRIG Drug Discovery 2011
- Biotek Recognized with 5x5x5 Award Again!
- BioTek Demonstrates Latest Microplate Instrumentation Innovations at BIOTECHNICA 2011
- BMG LABTECH is attending ARABLAB 2012
- BioTek Receives Extraordinary New Product Line Award from Fisher
- No Slowing in Today’s Flowing
- Assessing MSD and ELISA Plates Using the Multiskan SkyHigh Microplate Spectrophotometer
- A 3D InSight Into Drug Discovery With Tecan's Infinite® M200 PRO
- BioTek Highlights Improved Workflows With Their Latest Microplate Instruments at ASCB2013
- Undergraduate Studies Enter a Whole New World With Tecan’s Infinite® M200 PRO
- Reference Guide to Microplate Chemical Compatibility
- Labcompare’s Top 10 Product Reviews & Products for 2020
- Highly Specific, and Sensitive Multi-Plate Reader
- Great Plate Reader for Almost Any Type of Measurement
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches Interactive Laboratory Consumables Catalog
- A Winning Combination for Nephrology Research
- BioTek Highlights Newest Microplate Instrumentation at ELRIG/SLAS Drug Discovery 2012
- Purchasing Guide to Microplate Readers
- SPECTROstar Nano Microplate Reader
- Tecan and Sword Diagnostics announce availability of high performance immunoassay detection technology
- Redefine Your Absorbance Assays with a Free SPECTROstar Nano Microplate Reader from BMG LABTECH!
- Honey - A Novel Application for an Ancient Remedy helps Rose Cooper win a SPECTROstar Nano from BMG LABTECH
- Wyatt Technology’s Möbius™ Mobility Instrument Facilitates Protein Net Charge Computation at Low Concentrations
- Final Winners of BMG LABTECH's SPECTROstar Nano competition
- Biochrom Adds Flexi to EZ Read 400 Range
- BMG Labtech to Showcase Innovative Microplate Reading Solutions at Biotechnica 2011
- Low Profile Deep Well Plate Increases Storage Capacity
- Tecan and Artel Partner to Produce Unique, Fully Integrated QC Kit for Freedom EVO® Workstations
- What’s Happening at Analytica 2012 with BMG LABTECH
- BMG LABTECH and InvivoSciences, Inc. Initiate Market Collaboration to Accelerate Drug Discovery in Engineered 3D Tissues
- Easy to Use Monochromator with Excellent Quality
- Product Intelligence: Mighty Readers for Microplates
- BioTek Features Unique Microplate Instrumentation and Applications at MipTec 2013
- Ultra-Flat Microplates Optimise Imaging of Growing Cells
- BMG LABTECH, The Microplate Reader Company, Announces the Launch of its NEW Website!
- Watch Now: SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode Microplate Reader Unique Features
- Good Alternative Multimode Microplate Reader
- Microplate Reader Update
- Creating perfect growth conditions with Tecan’s Infinite® M200 PRO
- Reliable Micro Plate Reader
- Berthold Technologies Launches Mithras2 Multi-Technology Microplate Reader with Monochromators
- Developing new molecular tools for the fight against hospital-associated infections with Tecan’s Freedom EVO®
- BioTek's Cytation3 Awarded SelectScience Drug Discovery Product of the Year!
- Enhanced Black Microplates for light Protective Storage
- The Promise of Gene Therapy