Urban Myths of Microplate Readers
Exploring misconceptions and understanding the technologies
On-demand Webinar Series
In this unique five-part webinar series, we’ll introduce you to various aspects of microplate reader technology in an educational and entertaining way.
Starting with some basic concepts, we’ll explain a number of ‘urban myths’ or misconceptions - as well as introducing a variety of theories and technologies – ultimately enabling you to fully understand the choices you make when writing protocols, choosing a new plate reader or optimizing an existing assay.
PART 1 - OD, RFU or RLU - What exactly are they and why bigger is not always better!
Presenter:
Simon Lydford - Application Scientist Manager, Molecular Devices
In this first webinar, we’ll introduce you to the presenters who hope to educate (and entertain) you throughout this five part series. Starting with a brief discussion of the 3 main read modes of absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence, we will also:
- Demystify the truth around signal size and sensitivity
- Discuss the differences between readouts from different Molecular Devices microplate readers
- Help navigate the minefield of comparing reader specifications 'on paper'
PART 2 - Which microplate reader? Decisions, decisions and how to be less confused!
Presenter:
Caroline Cardonnel - Senior Application Scientist, Molecular Devices
There is an enormous range of microplate readers and microplate technologies available nowadays, so how do you know which is best for you? In this second webinar, we will review the various microplate reader options available for fluorescence and look at the impact they may have on your data.
We will answer questions such as:
- Do you need a filter-based or monochromator-based system?
- What is spectral bandwidth?
- What is stray light?
- Which read type is best for your application?
- Why is the PMT gain important?
- Why would you need an upgradable system?
PART 3 - “Optimization? But the manual says I need to be excited at 490nm!”
Presenters:
Scott Jones - Application Scientist, Molecular Devices
Everyone wants to get the best data they can from their assay, but sometimes it can be difficult to know how to do this, especially for example when a reagent supplier provides a perfect protocol with the ‘exact’ settings you should use. In this third webinar we discuss why sometimes you should ignore this! We will also delve into some of the software settings in SoftMax® Pro Software that will enable you to (hopefully) generate textbook quality data!
PART 4 - Beyond the basics - real time, resolving time and transferring energy
Presenter:
Johannes Pschorr - Senior Application Scientist, Molecular Devices
In this fourth webinar we move beyond absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence to look at time and energy. You will learn the basics of fluorescence polarization (FP) and fluorescence lifetime, as well as how to interpret the acronyms TRF, FRET and TR-FRET. Led by our expert Johannes Pschorr, this promises to be an exciting webinar!
PART 5 - Read-Copy-Paste-Analyze. Repeat... Sound familiar?
Presenter:
Mark McPate - Application Scientist, Molecular Devices
In the final webinar of this series we look at how you can reduce the number of manual steps needed to get to your results, and remove operator error, by letting SoftMax Pro 7 Data Acquisition and Analysis Software do the hard work for you.
Most of us have Excel on our PC and it can be a powerful analysis tool, but with SoftMax Pro Software you have the most powerful, most published and fully integrated microplate reader control and microplate data analysis software package available. Furthermore, in today’s world integrity and compliance are key, so we discuss how we can support adherence to worldwide regulatory expectations to enable full FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
Ready to get started?
Your local team is here to help you select the right microplate reader and show you the full potential of SoftMax Pro Software for your research.
Interested in learning more?
SoftMax Pro GxP Software
Become compliant with FDA part 11 software validation
- System audit trail
- Maintain data integrity
- Auto-save functionality
- Improved signing process
- Define roles and permissions
- Auto-export function
- Projects feature
SoftMax Pro Software
The most published microplate reader control and data analysis software
- Over 160 built-in protocols
- Simplify data measurement
- Import and analyze complex data
- Flexible calculations
- Advanced reader control
- Project management made easy