Microplate readers are optical equipment used for the detection of physical, chemical or biological phenomena by reading the absorbance. They are also known as ELISA readers or spectrophotometers, because they are associated with the ELISA test or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, a laboratory technique used to detect antigens in samples. Microplate readers function similarly to uv-visible spectrophotometers by measuring how much light is absorbed by a sample at different wavelengths. They are composed of 3 main elements, the detector, the monochromator and the illumination source.
This equipment is especially used to carry out qualitative analysis or quantitative analysis in different industries, biotechnological, clinical, biochemical, research or development laboratories, among others. For this reason it is very important that they are calibrated, a good calibration determines the performance of this equipment and therefore the quality of the results obtained.
Microplate readers or ELISA readers
The microplate reader or ELISA reader, is a type of spectrophotometer, differs from conventional because it has grids or filters that limit the wavelength to use, that is, they cannot work in wide wavelength intervals, usually work in ranges between 400 nm and 750 nm (visible region), very few work with ultraviolet light and perform analyzes between 340 nm and 700 nm.
The optical system of the microplate readers is designed to direct light into the microwells or wells of the microplate, which is where the sample being analyzed is deposited. Light passes through the sample, this beam has a diameter that varies between 1 mm to 3 mm. The detection system receives the light energy that passes through the sample, then amplifies it and measures the absorbance, finally, through its reading system, transforms what is measured into data that can be analyzed by the user. The microplates on which the sample is placed are made of polystyrene, have a defined number of microwells which is generally 96, arranged in a configuration of 8 rows by 12 columns. Today, there are many types of microplate readers, ranging from very simple models to more sophisticated ones with specific reading programs.
Calibration of microplate readers
The reason why any microplate reader or ELISA reader should be calibrated is because, through this process, the instrumental bias and the uncertainty of the results obtained by the team are determined. The scale that is calibrated in the ELISA readers is photometric, this is done through filters of neutral density, finally, the magnitude that is calibrated is the absorbance. The filters used are of circular shape and are placed on a metal plate having the same dimensions of the microplate that the ELISA reader brings.
Calibration of microplate readers is a procedure that must be done by a laboratory technician or by trained personnel who know the equipment and who can follow instructions that must be included in the equipment. To perform the calibration it is necessary to have a set of gray filters, which are mounted on a metal plate similar to the microplate analysis. Filters can be used to perform calibrations on the wavelengths handled by the equipment, i.e. they can come in the following wavelengths: 405 nm; 450 nm; 490 nm; 550 nm; 620 nm; 630 nm; 690 nm; and 750 nm.
Kalstein brand microplate readers
In kalstein we are LEADING MANUFACTURERS of a wide range of research and laboratory instruments and equipment. Our models are characterized by having the latest technology at the most affordable prices found in the market. If what you are looking for is a microplate reader, it’s in the right place, our YR model ELISA reader is characterized by:
- Windows operating interface, figure button, mouse operation, touch screen.
- 96-well plate, multiple tests on a single plate.
- Agitation plate, speed and adjustable lime.
- You can add or modify open systems, test items, and parameters.
To make the PURCHASE of your microplate reader with us, just follow the following link: HERE