PHERAstar FSX

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SelectScience seal of quality silver

No longer worry about installing filters and dichroics: the PHERAstar FSX comes with easy-to-handle, assay-optimized Optic Modules which contain all application-specific filters, mirrors, dichroics and/or polarizers, and are automatically recognised by the plate reader. In addition, the PHERAstar FSX is equipped with four matched and assay-optimized photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) which are automatically selected for the relevant detection mode. You can also measure assays with two emission wavelengths at the same time thanks to the Simultaneous Dual Emission.

The Enhanced Dynamic Range and automatic focus technologies make manual settings superfluous and detection optimisation easier than ever.

For HTS automation purposes, the PHERAstar FSX can be easily integrated into automated systems, and offers improved robotic integration capabilities and multi-user control.

Features

The most sensitive reader in fluorescence intensity and polarization
The only plate reader with 5 assay-dedicated detectors
Simultaneous Dual Emission, including for Alpha Technology
Enhanced Dynamic Range and automatic focus
Dedicated AlphaScreen^®/AlphaLISA^®/AlphaPlex™ laser
New generation TRF-laser
Top and bottom focal height adjustment
High-precision injectors with simultaneous reagent injection and detection
High-speed absorbance measurements
Advanced Assay Stability system

PHERAstar FSX

Our technologies

Advanced Assay Stability

The Advanced Assay Stability system enables to match room temperature conditions and to be maintained at any temperature between 18 and 45°C. It provides a steady temperature that is unaffected by external environmental changes while the plate reader is operating.

Alpha Technology Laser

Excitation lasers significantly improve performance and lower limits of detection, since they yield higher excitation energy at a specific wavelength when compared to xenon lamps. Both the CLARIOstar and the PHERAstar FSX can be equipped with a laser dedicated to Alpha Technology (AlphaScreen®, AlphaLISA® and AlphaPlexTM) detection. This dedicated laser outperforms any xenon-based light source by specifically exciting donors at 680 nm.

Automation

Automation is a key feature in high-throughput screening. BMG LABTECH microplate readers have been successfully integrated into various robotic systems. Small footprint, multiple robotic software interfaces and an automation-friendly plate carrier guarantee an easy integration into all leading robotic platforms. All plate readers can be controlled through ActiveX or DDE interfaces. Moreover, the ASCII data output is the most versatile in the industry and works with most LIMS and automation platforms.

Decay Curve Monitoring

A unique feature of the PHERAstar FSX, Decay Curve Monitoring provides an indispensable tool for assay troubleshooting and performance fine-tuning for TRF, TR-FRET and AlphaScreen® assays. Thanks to special detectors with direct photon measurement system, fluorophore decay curves can be collected for one or two wavelengths with a user-selectable resolution of down to 2 µs. While other TR-FRET microplate readers simply give an integration value for the area under the curve, the PHERAstar FSX gives much more!

Direct optic bottom reading

Fluorescent and luminescent detection of adherent cells substantially profits from measurements performed from the bottom of the well. The PHERAstar FSX, CLARIOstar Plus and VANTAstar have a free air optical path to the bottom of the microplate, improving sensitivity and eliminating the need for fiber optics or light guides. Unlike conventional microplate readers, all BMG LABTECH readers require no displacement or installation of any additional hardware when switching between top and bottom reading modes.

Dichroic Mirror

Dichroic mirrors have significantly different reflection and transmission properties at two different wavelengths. Specifically for optic detection, they reflect or block excitation light at lower wavelengths, and transmit emission light at longer wavelengths to the detector. Used between excitation and emission filters, they increase sensitivity and decrease background noise.

Incubation and shaking

Shaking and incubation allow users to mix the well content and easily run measurements at elevated temperatures. The incubator controls the air temperature in the measurement chamber from room temperature up to 45°C, 60°C or 65°C. BMG LABTECH microplate readers are equipped with orbital, double-orbital or linear shaking with definable intensity, duration and direction of motion. These features are available on all BMG LABTECH plate readers.

Optic modules

PHERAstar Optic Modules free users from worrying about which filter is installed, which dichroic is being used, or if the components are installed correctly. Optic Modules incorporate all the parts necessary to run a specific assay. They are labelled with a barcode and detected by the plate reader, eliminating the possibility of using the wrong filter set. Just drop a module into the PHERAstar and read the assay. It is that simple.

Path length correction

Absorbance measurements such as DNA quantification or protein determination detected in a microplate reader are frequently compared and/or normalized to results from a 1 cm path length cuvette. All BMG LABTECH microplate readers have the ability to perform a 1 cm path length correction thanks to an internal fitting algorithm. Using this correction, data normalization to 1 cm path is given with only one mouse click.

PHERAstar detection system

The outstanding sensitivity and speed of the PHERAstar FSX microplate reader are based upon a new, innovative lens-based optical design, three different assay-dedicated light sources, two pairs of matched photomultiplier tubes (PMT) and assay-dedicated Optic Modules. All of these features are automated and integrated with each other, allowing the PHERAstar FSX to provide the user with the results they expect from the best HTS microplate reader in the world.

Reagent injectors

Many of today's most popular assays such as enzyme kinetics, calcium flux, and dual luciferase require the ability to monitor a signal during and after the addition of a reagent. All BMG LABTECH readers, with the exception of the SPECTROstar Nano, can be equipped with up to two reagent injectors. Injectors enable reagent delivery to any plate format from 6 to 384 wells.

Simultaneous Dual Emission

Simultaneous Dual Emission (SDE) detection allows the measurement of two emitted wavelengths at the same time. It reduces plate read times and corrects for any signal variation due to differences in well volumes, concentrations, or fluctuations in excitation energy. SDE is the ideal tool for double-emission assays such as FRET, TR-FRET, fluorescence polarization and BRET, since the sample only has to be read once.

TRF-laser

Excitation lasers significantly improve performance and lower limits of detection, since they yield higher excitation energy at a specific wavelength when compared to xenon lamps. The PHERAstar FSX can be equipped with an excitation laser for TRF and TR-FRET assays. The TRF laser specifically excites lanthanides at 337 nm and with 60 laser flashes/second, it allows ultra-fast TRF/TR-FRET endpoint or kinetic measurements.

UV/vis spectrometer

BMG LABTECH was the first and is the only microplate reader manufacturer to equip its instruments with a UV/vis spectrometer for absorbance measurements. Similar to a monochromator, but much faster, the spectrometer will capture full-absorbance spectra from 220 to 1000 nm at a resolution of 1 nm in less than one second/well. Alternatively, up to eight discrete wavelengths can be collected at the same time.

Well-scanning

For non-homogeneous samples such as for cell-based assays, where the sample distribution is uneven across the well, a single reading in the centre of the well is inadequate. To overcome this problem, all BMG LABTECH readers come with an advanced Well Scanning feature that can take multiple measurements in each well with a resolution of up to 900 points/well. Alternatively, in spiral or orbital averaging mode, the reader takes several measurements for each well on a defined spiral or orbit and calculates an average.

Z-height focus

Automatic Z-height adjustment is extremely important for obtaining the best possible signal from every sample. If the focus is inaccurate by as little as 0.2 mm, this can result in a signal degradation of up to 25%. BMG LABTECH's Z-height focus adjustment tool scans the whole sample with 0.1 mm resolution and determines the height at which the strongest signal can be measured.

Crosstalk

Signal cross-talk negatively affects data quality in luminescence and AlphaScreen. It leads to an overestimation of dim samples, increases blank variability and background noise, and the possibility of false positives. The multiple factors to consider when trying to reduce cross-talk, as well as BMG LABTECH´s dedicated solutions are discussed here.

Advanced Assay Stability

Alpha Technology Laser

Automation

Decay Curve Monitoring

Direct optic bottom reading

Dichroic Mirror

Incubation and shaking

Optic modules

Path length correction

PHERAstar detection system

Reagent injectors

Simultaneous Dual Emission

TRF-laser

Excitation lasers significantly improve performance and lower limits of detection, since they yield higher excitation energy at a specific wavelength when compared to xenon lamps. The PHERAstar FSX can be equipped with an excitation laser for TRF and TR-FRET assays. The TRF laser specifically excites lanthanides at 337 nm and with 60 laser flashes/second, it allows ultra-fast TRF/TR-FRET endpoint or kinetic measurements.

UV/vis spectrometer

Well-scanning

Z-height focus

Crosstalk

Advanced Assay Stability

PHERAstar FSX

Detection Modes

Fluorescence intensity - incl. FRET
Fluorescence polarization
AlphaScreen^®/AlphaLISA^®/AlphaPlex™Luminescence (flash and glow) - incl. BRET
Time-resolved fluorescence
TR-FRET
UV/Vis absorbance spectra

Measurement Modes

Top and bottom reading
Endpoint and kinetic
Sequential multi-excitation
Sequential multi-emission
Simultaneous Dual Emission
Spectral scanning (absorbance)
Real-time ratiometric measurements
Well scanning

Microplate Formats

Up to 3456-well plates, user-definable
LVis Plate with 16 low volume microspots (2 μL)

Microplate Carrier

Robot compatible

Light Sources

High energy xenon flash lamp
Dedicated laser for AlphaScreen^®/AlphaLISA^®/AlphaPlex™Dedicated laser for TRF and TR-FRET

Detectors

Two matched pairs of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), optimized for different detection modes
CCD spectrometer

Wavelength Selection

Optic Modules: Up to six application-specific modules (includes all filters, dichroics, etc. for an application)
For top and bottom reading
UV/vis absorbance spectrometer: Full spectra or 8 distinct wavelengths in < 1 sec/well

Spectral Range

Filters
230 - 750 nm or 230 - 900 nm for FI, FP
230 - 750 nm for LUM
230 - 900 nm for TRF

Spectrometer
220 - 1000 nm for ABS; wavelength precision: ≤ 0.5 nm

Sensitivity

FI
(top)
< 0.15 pM FITC (384sv black, 20 μL)
< 0.5 pM FITC (1536 black, 8 μL)

Dynamic Range: 8 decades

FI
(bottom)
<1.0 pM FITC (384g black, 50 μL)

FP
< 0.5 mP SD at 1 nM FITC (384sv black, 20 μL)
< 1.5 mP SD at 1 nM FITC (1536 black, 8 μL)

TRF with laser.
< 5 fM europium (384, 80 μL)
< 15 fM europium (1536, 8 μL)

HTRF^®
(black and white microplates)
Reader Control Kit (Eu) after 18h (384sv, 20 μL)
Delta F > 1100% (High Calibrator)
Delta F > 25% (Low Calibrator)

LUM
< 0.4 pM (< 8 amol/well ATP, 384sv white, 20 μL)
Dynamic Range: 8 decades

AlphaScreen^®with laser
< 5 pM (< 100 amol/well P-Tyr-100, 384sv white, 20 μL)

ABS with spectrometer
Selectable spectral resolution: 1, 2, 5, and 10 nm
OD range: 0 to 4 OD; photometric resolution: 0.001 OD
Accuracy: < 1% at 2 OD
Precision: < 0.5% at 1 OD and < 0.8% at 2 OD
Linearity: ≤ 0.8% at 2.0 OD

Read Times

Flying mode (1 flash)
14 s (384)
27 s (1536)

10 flashes
38 s (384)
1 min 52 s (1536)

50 flashes
1 min 29 s (384)
5 min 18 s (1536)

Shaking

Linear, orbital, and double-orbital with user-definable time and speed

Incubation

+5 °C above ambient up to 45 °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

With Advanced Assay Stability (AAS) system: from 18 - 45°C

Software

Multi-user Reader Control and MARS Data Analysis Software included
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant

Dimensions

Width: 45 cm, depth: 51 cm, height: 47 cm; weight: 49 kg

With AAS system: width: 48 cm, depth: 68 cm, height: 47 cm; weight: 62 kg

Optical Path Guides

Top and bottom: free-air optical light path guided by motor-driven mirrors and dichroics

Z-Adjustment

Automatic focal height adjustment (0.1 mm resolution)

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, optionally up to 2 mL)
Variable injection speed up to 420 µL/s
Up to four injection events per well
Reagent back flushing

Integrated Barcode Reader

Up to three integrated barcode readers

Power Requirements

100 or 115 or 230 V, 50/60 Hz, auto ranging

Power Consumption

Normal operating conditions: 50 W
Idle State: 20 W
AAS-option: + 30 W
Switched off: 0 W max. 300 VA

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

THERMOstar

Microplate incubator and shaker

Stacker

Magazines for up to 50 plates - continuous loading feature

Upgrades

Please contact your local representative for upgrades including options such as detection modes, reagent injectors, etc

LOD = 3 x SD (20 blanks) / slope (6 pt std curve)
AlphaScreen^® P-Tyr-100 assay kit, PerkinElmer, #6760620C
384sv = 384-well small volume microplates
384g = 384-well glass bottom microplates
1536 = 1536-well microplates

Compare two readers

SPECTROstar Nano

Absorbance plate reader with cuvette port

LUMIstar Omega

Dedicated microplate luminometer

SPECTROstar Omega

Absorbance plate reader with ultrafast UV/vis spectrometer

NEPHELOstar Plus

Microplate nephelometer for light-scattering and turbidity measurements

PHERAstar FSX

Powerful and most sensitive HTS plate reader

CLARIOstar Plus

Most flexible Plate Reader for Assay Development

FLUOstar Omega

Filter-based multi-mode microplate reader

VANTAstar

Flexible microplate reader with simplified workflows

PHERAstar FSX

Detection Modes

Measurement Modes

Microplate Formats

Up to 3456-well plates, user-definable
LVis Plate with 16 low volume microspots (2 μL)

Microplate Carrier

Robot compatible

Light Sources

High energy xenon flash lamp
Dedicated laser for AlphaScreen^®/AlphaLISA^®/AlphaPlex™Dedicated laser for TRF and TR-FRET

Detectors

Two matched pairs of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), optimized for different detection modes
CCD spectrometer

Wavelength Selection

Spectral Range

Filters
230 - 750 nm or 230 - 900 nm for FI, FP
230 - 750 nm for LUM
230 - 900 nm for TRF

Spectrometer
220 - 1000 nm for ABS; wavelength precision: ≤ 0.5 nm

Sensitivity

FI
(top)
< 0.15 pM FITC (384sv black, 20 μL)
< 0.5 pM FITC (1536 black, 8 μL)

Dynamic Range: 8 decades

FI
(bottom)
<1.0 pM FITC (384g black, 50 μL)

FP
< 0.5 mP SD at 1 nM FITC (384sv black, 20 μL)
< 1.5 mP SD at 1 nM FITC (1536 black, 8 μL)

TRF with laser.
< 5 fM europium (384, 80 μL)
< 15 fM europium (1536, 8 μL)

HTRF^®
(black and white microplates)
Reader Control Kit (Eu) after 18h (384sv, 20 μL)
Delta F > 1100% (High Calibrator)
Delta F > 25% (Low Calibrator)

LUM
< 0.4 pM (< 8 amol/well ATP, 384sv white, 20 μL)
Dynamic Range: 8 decades

AlphaScreen^®with laser
< 5 pM (< 100 amol/well P-Tyr-100, 384sv white, 20 μL)

Read Times

Flying mode (1 flash)
14 s (384)
27 s (1536)

10 flashes
38 s (384)
1 min 52 s (1536)

50 flashes
1 min 29 s (384)
5 min 18 s (1536)

Shaking

Linear, orbital, and double-orbital with user-definable time and speed

Incubation

+5 °C above ambient up to 45 °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

With Advanced Assay Stability (AAS) system: from 18 - 45°C

Software

Multi-user Reader Control and MARS Data Analysis Software included
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant

Dimensions

Width: 45 cm, depth: 51 cm, height: 47 cm; weight: 49 kg

With AAS system: width: 48 cm, depth: 68 cm, height: 47 cm; weight: 62 kg

Optical Path Guides

Top and bottom: free-air optical light path guided by motor-driven mirrors and dichroics

Z-Adjustment

Automatic focal height adjustment (0.1 mm resolution)

Reagent Injection

Integrated Barcode Reader

Up to three integrated barcode readers

Power Requirements

100 or 115 or 230 V, 50/60 Hz, auto ranging

Power Consumption

Normal operating conditions: 50 W
Idle State: 20 W
AAS-option: + 30 W
Switched off: 0 W max. 300 VA

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

THERMOstar

Microplate incubator and shaker

Stacker

Magazines for up to 50 plates - continuous loading feature

Upgrades

Please contact your local representative for upgrades including options such as detection modes, reagent injectors, etc

PHERAstar FSX

Powerful and most sensitive HTS plate reader

Detection modes

PHERAstar FSX

Features

PHERAstar FSX

Automation