BMG LABTECH’s German engineers designed the CLARIOstar to be the perfect multimode microplate reader that did not compromise on sensitivity, flexibility, speed, or convenience. And they succeeded.

The CLARIOstar has new, advanced dual LVF Monochromators for fluorescence and luminescence detection, including FRET and BRET. LVF monochromators contain cutting edge technology, which include linear variable filters and dichroic mirrors. Like conventional, grating-based monochromators, these advanced LVF Monochromators produce continually adjustable wavelengths from 320 to 850 nm. But that is where the comparison stops. Truly unique to LVF monochromators is a continuously adjustable bandwidth from 8 to 100 nm. In addition, greater light transmission and the avoidance of stray light provide significantly increased sensitivity over conventional monochromators. These characteristics, along with an integrated fluorophore and lumiphore library and highly sensitive excitation and emission scanning capabilities, make the CLARIOstar an excellent microplate reader for basic research and assay development.

Besides the LVF Monochromators, the CLARIOstar can measure fluorescence and luminescence assays, including FRET and BRET, with fixed filters. Additionally, filters can be combined with the monochromators. Excite a fluorophore with a narrow bandwidth, high transmission filter and measure the emission with a broad bandwidth on the monochromator, or perform an emission spectral scan while exciting with a filter. Having filters that can be combined with a monochromator guarantees there is no compromise in performance in any fluorescence or luminescence assay. Moreover, all of these options are available to measure assays from both the top and bottom of the microplate.

In addition to filters and monochromators, the CLARIOstar incorporates an ultra-fast spectrometer for UV / Vis absorbance detection. This technology, pioneered several years ago by BMG LABTECH, allows users to spectrally scan an absorbance assay in less than 1 second per well. Users can obtain an entire spectrum from 220 to 1000 nm at a 1 nm resolution; that is 780 distinct wavelengths in the same time other instruments measure only one or two. Full spectrum absorbance allows for assays not possible on other instruments.  

Other technological features in the CLARIOstar ensure the best performance in advanced assay modes. AlphaScreen® and AlphaLISA® assays use a dedicated high energy laser, and fluorescence polarization, time-resolved fluorescence and TR-FRET assays use dedicated optical components. For bottom reading and cell based assays, direct optics are used, not fiber optics. Direct optics have a significantly higher light transmission, thereby allowing sensitive assays like fluorescent proteins to be easily measured, even with the LVF monochromator.

more about the CLARIOstar multimode microplate reader

more about BMG LABTECH