Empower Your Research with Tecan’s Spark® 20M Multimode Reader

25 Jan 2016
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Product news

Tecan has launched the Spark® 20M multimode microplate reader, offering tailor-made solutions to suit virtually any drug discovery or advanced life science research application. This freely configurable system gives researchers access to new techniques and features intended to enhance and streamline biochemical and cell-based workflows.

At the heart of the instrument are Spark’s unique Fusion Optics and a powerful, high frequency xenon flash lamp, which can be combined with your choice of high performance detection modules to ensure a perfect match for your workflow. Options include an enhanced fluorescence module designed to improve sensitivity and increase the speed of high throughput screening, and the newly developed Te-Cool™ cooling module that uniquely allows the measurement chamber temperature to be set below the ambient room temperature for more accurate and reliable results.

The Spark 20M’s cell handling capabilities have also been extended, with a new automated cell imaging and confluence measurement feature. This allows incubation and monitoring of cell culture microplates within the measurement chamber, enabling the user to define the confluence at which the assay starts/ends or the substrate is injected, for optimal assay results and greater walkaway operation. These new options – combined with the ability to read 6- to 1,536-well microplates – ensure there is a Spark 20M configuration to increase the productivity of your lab, both today and in the future.

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Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MicroplatesMicroplates are multi-well plates used to increase the throughput of biological investigations. The number of wells microplates contain can range from 6 to 3243 wells, with the 96-well format being the most commonly used. Microplates can come tailored for a range of applications including cell culture, PCR, filtration, storage, non-binding surface, protein crystallization, as well as pre-coated, deep well and normal Standard microplates. Additionally, options for microplate colors include clear , black, white or black with clear bottom and white with clear bottom for absorbance microplate reader applications. Find the best microplates for your lab in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Microplate Readers / DetectorsMicroplate readers are used to automate the detection and analysis of labeled or label-free components in microplates during assays or live-cell monitoring. Microplate readers are generally distinguished by their mode of detection. Types include absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence intensity, fluorescence polarization, TRF / FRET and multimode microplate readers. Microplate readers deliver a high throughput of samples by reading multiple wells simultaneously, with the 96-well format the most commonly used. As a result, microplate readers are often used in the drug discovery, bioassays, research and pharmaceutical industries for screening applications. Microplate loading can also be automated, with robotic microplate stackers to increase throughput. Find the best microplate readers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.Drug DiscoveryDrug discovery is the process of identifying potential new medications, involving stages such as target identification, compound screening, and preclinical development. It relies on cutting-edge technologies like high-throughput screening, artificial intelligence, and molecular modeling to accelerate the identification of drug candidates. Drug discovery plays a pivotal role in developing new therapies for diseases ranging from cancer to rare genetic disorders. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the latest drug discovery technologies, compare options, check customer feedback, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Cell Based AssaysCell-based assays use living cells to measure biological responses to various treatments or stimuli. They are essential for drug discovery, toxicology testing, and understanding cellular mechanisms. These assays are used to assess cell viability, proliferation, gene expression, and other cellular activities. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best cell-based assay tools and reagents, compare products, read customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Cell ImagingCell imaging can be achieved using a number of techniques including confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and light sheet microscopy.Sample HandlingProper and careful handling of samples is important in scientific studies to ensure the integrity of specimens. This will prevent deterioration and cross contamination, and improve the accuracy of sample tracking procedures.
Empower Your Research with Tecan’s Spark® 20M Multimode Reader