Advanced High-Throughput Screening Microplate Reader

High-Throughput Screening (HTS) is used extensively for drug discovery in Biotechs, Pharma and Academic Core Facilities. HTS quickly performs millions of chemical, biochemical or pharmacological assays to establish the basis for drug design. In order to maximise efficiency and control costs, screening facilities must constantly strive to increase throughput and minimise sample expenditure. The key to HTS is to achieve the highest speed and flexibility without compromising in sensitivity.

To meet these requirements BMG Labtech developed the new gold standard multi-mode microplate reader – the PHERAstar FSX for HTS applications. This reader was specifically designed for the fastest read times, the best sensitivity and unmatched flexibility in all plate formats up to 3456 wells (Figure 1).

Next generation TRF Laser

The trend towards assay miniaturisation for high-throughput requires the ability to measure the smallest possible quantity.  The outstanding sensitivity of the PHERAstar FSX is based on an innovative optical design which includes a free air optical path, three independent light sources, dedicated Photomultiplier Tube detectors (PMT), Simultaneous Dual Emission detection and high transmission filters. To ensure the best performance for any HTS assay the PHERAstar FSX comes with a high energy xenon flash lamp, a dedicated laser for Alpha Technology and a next generation laser for TRF/TR-FRET. The new TRF laser with its frequency of 60 flashes per second increases throughput and measurement precision and allows for a full 1536-well plate to be measured in only 36 seconds (Figure 2).

Simultaneous Dual Emission detection for Alpha Technology

Most HTS assays require detection of two emission wavelengths; BMG Labtech pioneered the technique of Simultaneous Dual Emission detection for microplate readers. Employing two pairs of matched PMT detectors, the PHERAstar FSX can simultaneously detect two separate emission wavelengths in one single measurement which offers a significant speed advantage by cutting read times in half. Simultaneous Dual Emission also corrects flash-to-flash variations, photo bleaching, decaying kinetic signals, or fluctuating conditions like temperature, pH and evaporation. Simultaneous Dual Emission detection can be used in any assay that measures two emission wavelengths or polarisation vectors, including FP, FRET, HTRF and AlphaPlex.

Superior performance in all HTS assays

The advantage of miniaturisation is that it allows rapid, inexpensive and effective measurement either in 384, 1536 or 3456 well microplates. The PHERAstar FSX offers a unique combination of features to support all major existing applications. The reader easily performs applications like protein-protein interactions, affinity binding assays, compound and inhibitor screening as well as DNA, RNA and protein quantification. The PHERAstar FSX is ideal for measuring enzyme activity, kinetics, cell based and reporter gene assays with superior performance in all HTS applications, including NanoBRET, Alpha Technology and HTRF assays.

Automation and robotic integration

Automation is important for effective HTS so simple robotic integration is essential. The PHERAstar FSX further extends BMG Labtech’s robotic integration capabilities and for lower throughput scenarios, it can also be equipped with BMG Labtech's microplate Stacker. The software provides multi-user control and comprehensive MARS data analysis software with digital signature and FDA 21 CFR part 11 compliance. Raw or processed data can be exported as Excel or ASCII files directly into LIMS or other downstream analysis packages.

Made in Germany

BMG Labtech is a leading global developer and manufacturer of innovative, high-quality and reliable microplate reader instrumentation. The company has been committed to producing microplate readers for more than twenty five years. All our microplate readers are conceived, developed, assembled and tested entirely at BMG Labtech’s headquarters in Germany with local support being provided by BMG Labtech Ltd in the UK.