A multi-volume plate will increase the plate reader’s functionality by providing spectrophotometric readings of multiple microvolume (2 μL) samples simultaneously and will be able to accept standard 1-cm cuvettes for larger volume quantification. This multi-volume plate will provide high-throughput quantification and purity assessment of nucleic acids and proteins.
The University’s research program will use this equipment for precision optical experiments on a wide range of organic and inorganic liquid samples. A multi-mode plate reader will facilitate the high-throughput measurements of chemical, biological or physical reactions, properties, and analytes within a well of a microplate. In the microplate, these reactions convert the presence of an analyte or the progression of biochemical processes into optical signals (absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence) which can be detected and quantified. A multi-mode plate reader is a workhorse equipment in many molecular biology labs and is instrumental for various experimental applications including (but not limited to): cell-growth and -death assays using fluorescent probes, detection on metabolic activity, protein aggregation, enzyme kinetics, microbial growth, luciferase reporters, nucleic acid and protein quantification, and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs). Importantly, a plate reader with micro-volume capabilities is an important tool for high-throughput quantification and purity of DNA, RNA, and proteins. We request a modular, multi-mode microplate reader and accompanying multi-volume plate to be housed in the Core Molecular Biology and Genomics Laboratory (CMBGL) at the University of Ottawa. This equipment will accommodate the experimental needs of more than 36 research groups across several Faculties at the University (>100 users) and we require a high level of modularity, functionality, and ease of usage to increase the capacity of the facility for various experiments. Finally, this equipment will be managed by a trained technician that will ensure accessibility to HQP from various labs, Departments and Faculties across uOttawa, as well as users external to the University.
Mandatory Requirements:
Modular Multimode Microplate Reader:
1.1 Must be capable of absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence detection
1.2 Must have quadruple grating optical design (two gratings per monochromator) for better spectral scanning performance
1.3 Must be capable of reading plates from 6 well to 384 wells
1.4 Must be capable of detecting absorbance at wavelengths ranging from 230-999 nm and be specific within 1 nm increments or smaller
1.5 Monochromators must offer bandwidths of 8 nm or smaller for the entire range of wavelengths from 230-999 nm in absorbance detection and offer wavelength accuracy of ± 2 nm and repeatability of ± 0.2 nm
1.6 Must be capable of detecting fluorescence at wavelengths ranging from 250-700 nm and be specific within 1 nm increments or smaller
1.7 Monochromator-based fluorescence must be a variable bandwidth with bandwidth selectivity between 9 nm and 50 nm in 1 nm increments
1.8 Equipment must be capable of top and bottom fluorescence reads with a sensitivity of at least 4 pM (Fluorescein); and offer a dynamic range of 7 decades.
1.9 Must have a 96 well reading speed of 11 sec (or less) and a 384 well reading speed of 22 sec (or less) for fluorescence and absorbance detection
1.10 Luminescence detection must be sensitive to 20 amol ATP
1.11 Must use a xenon flash lamp
1.12 Instrument must be field-upgradeable
1.13 Must be compatible with 2 μL low volume microplate accessory with 16 or 48 sample microspots for direct nucleic acid quantification (described in section 2)
1.14 Must be able to control temperature to 70°C with a minimum 4-zone temperature control system, with uniformity across the microplate of ±0.2°C at 37°C to limit edge effects in incubated assays
1.15 Must include condensation control capabilities that allow the plates to be read with the lid on for extended periods of time
1.16 Must have automatic Z-height adjustment to automatically accommodate for various microplate heights and fluid levels
1.17 Must have automatic individual well-by-well absorbance path length correction to automatically calculate 1 cm path length corrected results
1.18 Must provide the following read modes: end point, kinetic, spectral scanning, well-area scanning
1.19 Must provide a shaking mode (linear, orbital, double orbital)
Reader-Compatible, Multi-Volume Plate:
2.1 Must be compatible with modular multimode microplate reader described in Section 1
2.2 Must enable absorbance and fluorescence quantification of 2 μL samples (microspots)
2.3 Must enable simultaneous measurement of multiple sample microspots
2.4 Must enable detection of dsDNA concentrations down to 2 ng/uL
2.5 Must accept standard 1 cm cuvettes for spectrophotometer measurements
2.6 Must be compatible with software that enables direct quantitative measurement of dsDNA, ssDNA, RNA, and proteins
2.7 Sample slides must be removable and replaceable
Other Requirements:
3.1 Must include one (1) year warranty on parts and labour.
3.2 Must be capable of providing up to four (4) years of additional field service
3.3 Must be compatible with a computer software program for data acquisition and visualization
3.4 Must include a laptop or desktop computer that is capable of running the required software. The laptop/desktop must also come with Wi-Fi and ethernet connectivity.
3.5 Product to be marked as approved by an inspection body accredited by Standards Council of Canada.
3.6 Assembled equipment must fit on lab bench, without overhang, and with sufficient space remaining between the unit and the backwall to provide adequate ventilation; final assembled dimensions must not exceed 25” (W) x 25” (D) x 30” (H)
