Multi-detector options for the SpectraMax® L microplate luminometer for increased throughput
SUNNYVALE, CA, January 26, 2009 – MDS Analytical Technologies, a leader in innovative solutions for drug discovery and life sciences research, today introduced at the LabAutomation2009 show in Palm Springs, CA, six-channel and two-channel versions of the SpectraMax® L, a new multiple photomultiplier-based platform for microplate luminometers designed for drug-discovery scientists who screen small molecules for biological activity and life sciences researchers who investigate protein-protein interactions.
The six-channel SpectraMax® L microplate reader system reads 96-well and 384-well microplates six times faster than conventional microplate luminometers. The two-channel instrument reads flash and glow luminescence twice as fast as conventional microplate luminometers, and enables Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) assays for proteomics studies.
“The higher throughput of the six-channel instrument will allow small biotech and pharmaceutical companies a cost-effective approach to medium-throughput, Aequorin-based G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)and Luciferase-based Reporter Gene Screening,” said Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical Technologies. “Large pharmaceutical companies will benefit by using the reader to validate and optimize assays prior to large-scale screening campaigns.”
MDS Analytical Technologies expects both the six-channel and two-channel versions of the SpectraMax® L microplate reader to be available for shipment in March 2009. To learn more about this new platform for microplate luminometers, go to www.moleculardevices.com/pages/instruments/spectramax_l.html.
About SpectraMax® L Luminescence Microplate Readers MDS Analytical Technologies, which acquired Molecular Devices Corporation in 2007, is a leading supplier of microplate reader systems to academic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology research groups worldwide. The SpectraMax® L microplate reader offers the sensitivity, reliability, flexibility, automation options, and validation tools required by today’s leading laboratories. The system is ideal for measuring flash and glow assays, including dual luciferase and acridinium ester flash assays, in both 96-well and 384-well plates. Ultra-fast photon counting technology provides a superior signal-to-noise ratio for the detection of analytes and lower levels of gene expression. Industry-leading SoftMax® Pro software eliminates the need to export data to spreadsheet programs, and manages instrument control and results generation in a GxP environment. Applications for SpectraMax® L readers include assays for single and dual luciferase reporter genes, adenosine triphosphate(ATP), dsDNA, aequorin-Ca2+, and luminescence-based Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA).
About MDS Analytical Technologies MDS Analytical Technologies, a business unit of MDS Inc., is focused on the research, design, manufacture and marketing of state-of-the-art tools for mass-spectrometry, drug discovery and bioresearch. MDS Analytical Technologies’ products are designed to help accelerate the complex process of discovering and developing new drug compounds, and are sold to research scientists around the world. The mass-spectrometer product lines are also sold globally through joint ventures with two of the world’s leading analytical instrumentation and life-sciences companies, Life Technologies Corp. and PerkinElmer, Inc. Find out more at www.mdssciex.com or www.moleculardevices.com.
About MDS Inc. MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) is a global life-sciences company that provides market-leading products and services that our customers need for the development of drugs, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease. We are a leading global provider of pharmaceutical contract research, medical isotopes for molecular imaging, radiotherapeutics, and analytical instruments. MDS has more than 5,000 highly skilled people in 29 countries. Find out more at www.mdsinc.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.
SOURCE: MDS
