BMG LABTECH - NOVOstar
In the past, cell-based assays required the use of expensive HTS equipment, which lead to limited accessibility for...
- Fluorescence Polarization
- Fluorescence Intensity - including FRET and multilable applications
- Time-Resolved Fluorescence - including DELFIA®
- Absorbance - UV/Vis with path length correction
- High-Performance Luminescence (flash and glow) - DLReadyTM certified
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Features of NOVOstar
High performance luminescence
The NOVOstar has been designed with two dedicated measurement systems, one for fluorescence and one for luminescence. Eliminating the need to make a choice between a dedicated fluorometer and luminometer. The NOVOstar offers exceptional luminescence performance in a single instrument package that easily fulfils Promega’s stringent DLReadyTM (dual luciferase validation) criteria in 96- and 384-well plate formats.
Optimized for kinetic assays
The NOVOstar is optimized to monitor fast kinetic events, such as calcium flux. These types of assays can easily be triggered using the transfer pipettoror one of the two built-in injectors. Reagent addition and measurements can be undertaken concurrently to ensure even the fastest kinetics are captured. Data can be collected at different rates within the same experiment. For example, fast kinetic flux assays typically produce the bulk of their data in the first few seconds after injection. Using the multiple kinetic window feature you can collect data during this critical time with high resolution, as fast as 50 measurement points per second. After the peak you can reduce the capture rate to 1 read every few seconds thus reducing your dataset and analysis time.
Advanced liquid handling
The NOVOstar includes a unique integrated transfer pipettor and two additional syringe injectors. All three liquid dispensing devices have direct access to the measurement position, allowing plate reading before, during, and after addition of liquid samples. The transfer pipettor is able to aspirate, dispense, and mix precise volumes of fluids from the reagent plate or from three reagent stations. The delivery volume is adjustable for each well from 0.5 to 100 µL, allowing you to produce dilution schemes, concentration ranges or standard curves. The injectors can be used for adding standard reagents to selected wells in the measurement plate.
Multichromatic detection modes
Sixteen built-in fi lters and fast filter switching allow sequential dual excitation/emission measurements. This feature is important for functional cellular assays using ratiometric ion indicators or voltage-sensitive FRET probes. The NOVOstar with the fluorescence polarization option can even collect data at two emission wavelengths at the same time. The simultaneous dual emission detection technology together with real-time ratio calculation substantially reduce plate read times and increase performance of FRET based assays.
Control and evaluation software
The WindowsTM based PC software provides an extensive range of options for assay design and data evaluation. Control software allows users to define instrument parameters including injection timing, mixing, shaking, pump speed, etc. During a plate measurement, the current state feature can be used to observe the progress of kinetic reactions in all wells.
The evaluation software is based on powerful ExcelTM macros. Worksheets display raw data, calculations, signal plots, and standard curves. Powerful evaluation sheets are pre-programmed to perform calculations such as %, ratios, curve fitting, FP, anisotrophy, dilution factors, etc. In addition, you can create your own workbooks for specific data evaluation.
Applications
- Ca2+ uptake
- Membrane potential studies (Application Note 123)
- Intracellular pH
- Intracellular cAMP, e.g. FRET based assay with CFP
- Measurement of intracellular ionic changes
- Cell proliferation assay, e.g. with Alamar Blue
- Fluorescent reporter gene assays, e.g. GFP, YFP/CFP FRET-based assay
- FRET-based assay, e.g. SUMO protease activity with YFP and enhanced CFP as donor-acceptor pair FRET-based voltage sensor probes
- Dual Luciferase Reporter Assay, e.g. determination of siRNA silencing efficiency
- Cell adhesion assay, e.g. with calcein AM
- Enzyme activity, e.g. 2-OG hydroxylase enzymes (Application Note 132), histone deacetylase inhibition in cancer research
- ELISA
General Specifications
Depth | 53 cm |
Detector | Side window photomultiplier tube |
Shaking | 1 |
Spectral Range | 240 to 740 nm |
Height | 30 cm |
Detection Mode | Mid-level |
Width | 78 cm |
Detection Method | Fluorescence Intensity - including FRET, Fluorescence Polarization, Luminescence (flash and glow), Time-Resolved Fluorescence - including DELFIA®, UV/Vis absorbance |
Shaking Pattern | Linear, orbital, and double-orbital with user-definable time and speed |
Filters | Excitation and emission filter wheels for 8 filters each |
Sample Formats | 6 to 384-well plates, user-definable |
Lighting | High energy xenon flashlamp |
Weight | 121 lbs |
Read Method | Top and bottom reading, Endpoint and Kinetic measurements, Sequential Multi Excitation measurements, Sequential Multi Emission measurements, Simultaneous Dual Emission measurements, Ratiometric measurements, Well Scanning |
Scanning Speed | Flying mode: 14 s (96), 27 (384) |
Microplate Size | 384-well |
Software | External |
Temperature Control | 1 |
Additional Specifications
Microplate carrier: Accommodates two plates: one reagent plate and one
measurement plate
Sensitivity:
FI: < 1 fmol / well Fluorescein
FP: < 5 mP standard deviation at 1 nM fl uorescein
TRF: < 70 amol/well Europium
LUM: < 30 amol/well ATP; DLReady certified
ABS: Dynamic range: ±0.000 - 4.000 OD; reproducibility: ±0.010 OD for 0 - 2 OD range
Reagent injection:
Up to 2 built-in reagent injectors
Injection at measurement position (6 to 384-well)
Individual injection volumes for each well (3 to 350 µL)
Variable injection speed up to 420 µL / s
Up to four injection events per well
Reagent back flushing
Pipettor system:
Injection volume: 0.5 µl - 100 µl
Individual injection volumes for each well
Variable injection speed
Plate-to-plate transfer + 3 reagent stations + washing station
Gas vent: System to inject an atmosphere or to pull a vacuum into the reader
Software: License-free software package including Reader Control and MARS
Data Analysis Software
Accessories
THERMOstar: Microplate Incubator and Shaker
Filters:
Optimized for dyes, fluorophores and specific assays
Filters for all applications from UV to NIR
Customized filters available upon request
Upgrades: Upgrades to include options such as additional detection modes,
reagent injectors, etc. are available. Please contact your local
representative for more information.