Description

Sensitive, flexible, field-upgradeable system supports a wide range of applications

Sunnyvale, CA, December 3 2013 – Molecular Devices®, the market leader in microplate reader technology for over 25 years, has announced today the next-generation SpectraMax® MiniMax™ 300 Imaging Cytometer. This MiniMax 300 imaging cytometer enables both cellular visualization and first-of-its-kind stain free cell-based analysis on the field-upgradable SpectraMax® i3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader.  Brightfield and fluorescence based green and red channel cellular image acquisition and analysis is made simple using the SoftMax Pro® software workflow. Combining cellular imaging with stain-free cell counting and confluency measurements with microplate-based applications, scientists now have more ways to compress their workflows and increase efficiency.

The SpectraMax MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer now features the patent-pending StainFree™ Cell Detection algorithm, which enables cell confluency and cell counting measurements on an imaging plate reader without the need for destructive stains, saving researchers valuable time and money. With two additional fluorescence detection channels: green and red – researchers may now perform and analyze a wide range of cellular viability and cell toxicity assays, including ratiometric assays such as transfection efficiency. The SpectraMax i3 system offers three integrated detection modes while its flexible design enables a wide array of assay possibilities. The patented user-exchangeable cartridge design expands the system's detection capabilities with cartridges like the recently launched ScanLater™ Western Blot Detection System, which enables protein analysis on a plate reader. 

The SpectraMax i3 platform with MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer and ScanLater Western Blot System are all managed through SoftMax® Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software, recognized industry-wide for its ease of use. With simple to set-up plate reader prompts and pre-defined analysis features, results are realized and analyzed quickly. The SpectraMax i3 System is also available for use in GMP and GLP labs when used with SoftMax® Pro 6 GxP Microplate Data Compliance Software.

Kevin Chance, President of Molecular Devices commented: “The patent-pending StainFree Cell Detection algorithm available on the SpectraMax MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer showcases Molecular Devices’ extensive experience in both cellular imaging and image analysis. Adding this unique cellular imaging capability to the SpectraMax i3 microplate reader platform enables scientists to perform non-destructive cell counting and confluency measurements in the same microplate as downstream microplate based assays.”