Molecular Devices SpectraMax M2e Multi-Mode Microplate Reader with Absorbance, Fluorescence, TRF, and Luminescence Detection

The Molecular Devices SpectraMax M2e is a multi-mode microplate reader for absorbance, fluorescence intensity, time-resolved fluorescence, and luminescence assays. It uses dual monochromators, a dual-mode cuvette port, PathCheck and well-volume sensing, and supports robotic integration for flexible low- to high-throughput workflows.

Key Features

• Absorbance, fluorescence intensity, time-resolved fluorescence, and luminescence detection
• Top- and bottom-reading capability
• Dual-mode cuvette port
• Dual monochromators with 1 nm wavelength steps
• PathCheck and well-volume sensor
• Endpoint, kinetic, spectral, and area-well scanning modes
• Instrument and software validation
• Robotic compatibility
• Xenon flash lamp light source and photomultiplier tube detector

Absorbance Performance

• Wavelength selection: monochromator-based, tunable in 1 nm steps
• Wavelength range: 200–1000 nm
• Wavelength bandwidth: ≤4.0 nm
• Wavelength accuracy: ±2.0 nm
• Wavelength repeatability: ±0.2 nm
• Photometric range: 0–4.0 OD
• Photometric resolution: 0.001 OD
• Photometric accuracy, microplate: <±0.006 OD ±1.0%, 0–2 OD
• Photometric accuracy, cuvette: <±0.005 OD ±1.0%, 0–2 OD
• Photometric accuracy: <±0.003 OD ±1.0%, 0–2 OD
• Baseline flatness: <0.001 OD
• Stray light: <0.05% at 230 nm

Fluorescence Performance

• Dual monochromators with 1 nm step size
• Excitation wavelength range: 250–850 nm
• Emission wavelength range: 360–850 nm
• Excitation and emission bandwidth: 9 nm
• Optimized top-read sensitivity: 5 pM fluorescein in 96 wells
• Guaranteed top-read sensitivity: 15 pM fluorescein in 96 wells

Time-Resolved Fluorescence

• Excitation wavelength range: 250–850 nm
• Emission wavelength range: 360–850 nm
• Data acquisition: 50–1450 µsec in 200 µsec steps
• Guaranteed sensitivity: 7 pM Eu-chelate

Luminescence

• Wavelength range: 360–850 nm
• Guaranteed sensitivity: 50 fM alkaline phosphatase

General Performance and Specifications

• Plate formats: 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384 wells
• Light source: xenon flash lamp, 1 joule per flash
• Detector: photomultiplier tube (PMT)
• Read time for 96-well plates: absorbance 18 seconds; fluorescence intensity 15 seconds
• Read time for 384-well plates: absorbance 49 seconds; fluorescence intensity 45 seconds
• Shaking time: 0–999 seconds
• Temperature control: ambient +4°C to 45°C
• Temperature uniformity: <1°C at a 37°C setpoint
• Temperature accuracy: ±1°C at a 37°C setpoint
• Power consumption: <125 W
• Power requirements: 100–240 VAC, 3 A, 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions: 23 × 16 × 9 cm
• Weight: 35 lb

The SpectraMax M2e is suited to microplate-based research in molecular biology, biotechnology, cell-based assays, fluorescence analysis, drug discovery, and molecular diagnostics. Its monochromator-based wavelength selection and multi-detection capability support applications ranging from endpoint and kinetic absorbance assays to fluorescence and luminescence workflows.