Urban Myths of Microplate Readers

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!