Multi-mode microplate reader with Simultaneous Dual Emission - including fluorescence polarization

The POLARstar^® Omega is the fully-equipped Omega-series microplate reader, offering all the features of a FLUOstar Omega, and in addition fluorescence polarization. Equipped with BMG LABTECH’s ultra-fast UV/Vis spectrometer and Simultaneous Dual Emission detection, the POLARstar Omega represents a great combination of performance and flexibility for life science applications

The POLARstar Omega is a versatile, filter-based multi-mode microplate reader with six detection modes: fluorescence intensity (including FRET), fluorescence polarization, luminescence (including BRET), UV/Vis absorbance, time-resolved fluorescence (including TR-FRET), and AlphaScreen^®/AlphaLISA^®. For cell-based applications, the optional Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU) makes O₂ and CO₂ gas control possible.

Features

Two matched PMTs for Simultaneous Dual Emission detection
Full-spectrum UV/Vis absorbance measurements in less than 1 second
Measurement in up to 384-well microplate format
Top and bottom reading
Plate shaking and uniform incubation up to 45 °C or 65 °C
Well-scanning and real-time kinetic monitoring
High-precision injectors with simultaneous reagent injection and detection
Includes multi-user control and MARS data analysis software
ACU compatible for O₂ and CO₂ control
Compatible with LVis Plate and Stacker

Technical Specifications

Detection Modes	Fluorescence Intensity FRET Fluorescence Polarization AlphaScreen®/AlphaLISA® Luminescence (flash and glow) BRET Time-Resolved Fluorescence - including TR-FRET UV/Vis Absorbance Spectra
Measurement Modes	Top and bottom reading Endpoint and kinetic measurements Sequential Multi Excitation measurements Sequential Multi Emission measurements Simultaneous Dual Emission measurements Spectral scanning (absorbance) Ratiometric measurements Well scanning
Microplate Formats	6 to 1536-well plates, user-definable LVis Plate with 16 low volume microspots (2 μL)
Microplate Carrier	Robot compatible
Light Sources	High energy xenon flash lamp
Detectors	Two low noise photomultiplier tubes CCD spectrometer
Wavelength Selection	Optical Filters: Ex and Em wheels for 8 filters each UV/Vis Absorbance Spectrometer: Full spectra or 8 distinct wavelengths in < 1 sec / well
Optical Filters	Excitation and emission filter wheels for 8 filters each
Optical Path Guides	Top: Liquid filled light guides Bottom: Fiber optics
Spectral Range	Filters 240 - 750 nm or 240 - 900 nm for FI, FP, TRF 240 - 750 nm for LUM Spectrometer 220 - 1000 nm for ABS
Sensitivity*	FI < 10 pM (< 0.2 fmol/well Fluorescein, 384sv, 20 μL) FP < 5 mP SD at 1 nM Sodium Fluorescein TRF < 30 amol/well Europium High-End TRF for Omega < 3 amol/well Europium LUM < 20 amol/well ATP AlphaScreen® with flash lamp < 5 pM (< 100 amol/well P-Tyr-100, 384sv, 20 μL) ABS with Spectrometer Full spectrum captured in < 1 s/well Selectable spectral resolution: 1, 2, 5, and 10 nm OD range: 0 to 4 OD Accuracy: < 1% at 2 OD Precision: < 0.5% at 1 OD and < 0.8% at 2 OD
Read Times	Flying mode (1 flash) 9 s (96), 16 s (384)
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 500 µL) Variable injection speed up to 420 µL / s Up to four injection events per well Reagent back flushing
Shaking	Linear, orbital, and double-orbital with user-definable time and speed
Purge Gas Vent	System to inject an atmosphere or to pull a vacuum into the reader
Incubation	+4 °C above ambient up to 45 °C or 65 °C The upper heating plate of the incubation chamber operates at 0.5 °C more than the lower plate. This prevents condensation build-up on the lid or sealer.
Software	Multi-user Reader Control and MARS Data Analysis Software included. FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant
Dimensions	Width: 44 cm, depth: 48 cm, height: 30 cm; weight: 28 kg

Optional Accessories
LVis Plate	Sample Capacity: Sixteen separate microdrop wells for 2 µL samples; One standard cuvette position for up to 1 mL samples. Quality Control Internal Standards (optional): Four NIST traceable optical density filters (approximate values of 0.1, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.0 OD); One holmium oxide filter for wavelength accuracy Dimensions: Conforms to SBS standards for microplates.
Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU)	Oxygen Regulation: 1 - 19% using nitrogen to purge. Carbon Dioxide Regulation: 0 - 20% using 100% moisture free carbon dioxide to purge. Dimensions (ACU only): Width: 44 cm, height: 17 cm and depth: 19 cm; Weight: 5 kg
Stacker	Magazines for up to 50 plates - continuous loading feature
THERMOstar	Microplate Incubator and Shaker
Optical Filters	Excitation and emission filter wheels for 8 filters each
*	LOD = 3 x SD (20 blanks) / slope (6 pt std curve) AlphaScreen® P-Tyr-100 assay kit, PerkinElmer, #6760620C Microplates: white for LUM, AlphaScreen®, TRF; black for FI, FP; clear for ABS 96 = 96-well microplates 384sv = 384-well small volume microplates