Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is a physical phenomenon, that requires close proximity of a donor molecule and an acceptor molecule (1-10 nm typically). As a result of excitation by light that only the donor can absorb, the donor dye changes into an excited state and transfers energy without the emission of a photon to the acceptor dye. If the acceptor dye is fluorescent, it will emit light, typically at a much longer wavelength than the donor dye can emit itself. Today, FRET techniques are getting employed in a wide variety of applications, such as receptor/ligand studies, membrane fusion assays, fluorogenic protease assays or immunoassays.

The diversity of methods and fluorophores available makes flexibility in fluorescence detection a must. Thus, our microplate readers enable you to not just detect Fluorescence Intensity (FI) but other assay technologies like FRET, TRF, HTRF® or Fluorescence Polarization (FP) as well.

Compare Fluorescence Microplate Readers

 Tristar 3Tristar 5
Detectors 
  • Low-noise photomultiplier tube in dual mode
  • Photodiode for absorbance
 
 
  • 2 Low-noise photomultiplier tube in dual mode
  • Photodiode for absorbance
 
Absorbance (Vis)  
Absorbance (UV)  
Luminescence  
Fluorescence  
TRF  
FP  
AlphaScreen  
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Optical systemSingle path for all detection technologiesSingle path for all detection technologies
Light source 
  • Xenon flash lamp
 
 
  • Xenon flash lamp
  • Laser diode (680 nm)
 
Spectral range Absorbance200-1000 nm200-1000 nm
Spectral range Luminescence

Standard: 280-650 nm

Extended: 280-850 nm

Standard: 280-650 nm

Extended: 280-850 nm
Spectral range FluorescenceExcitation: 230-1000 nm
Emission: Standard 280-650 nm, Extended 280-850 nm
Excitation: 230-1000 nm
Emission: Standard 280-650 nm, Extended 280-850 nm
Z-adjustment  
Bottom reading  
Filters  
Monochromator for Abs. and Fluor. Excitation  
Monochromator for Fluor. Emission  
Filter identificationManualManual
Wavelength scanning

 

Monochromator stray light 10-6
Monochromator bandwidth 4-22 nm
 Tristar 3Tristar 5
InjectorsUp to 3 JET injectors with frictionless operationUp to 3 JET injectors with frictionless operation
Injector volume10-100 µL in 1 µL steps10-100 µL in 1 µL steps
Injector accuracyBetter than 2% across the entire volume rangeBetter than 2% across the entire volume range
Injector precisionBetter than 2% across the entire volume rangeBetter than 2% across the entire volume range
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Microplate formats6- to 384-well6- to 384-well
Plate height adjustment3 different frames depending on plate type3 different frames depending on plate type
Additional sample formats (optional) 
  • µDrop plate for microvolumes
  • Adapter for cuvettes
  • Adapter for petri dishes
  • Adapter for Terasaki plates
 
 
  • µDrop plate for microvolumes
  • Adapter for cuvettes
  • Adapter for petri dishes
  • Adapter for Terasaki plates
 
Optional Microplate Stacker  
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ShakingLinear, orbital, double orbital, with selectable speed and diameterLinear, orbital, double orbital, with selectable speed and diameter
Temperature controlFrom ambient +5° to 45° CFrom ambient +5° to 45° C
Gas connection  
 Tristar 3Tristar 5
Absorbance precisionBetter than 0.6%Better than 0.6%
Absorbance accuracyBetter than 2%Better than 2%
Luminescence sensitivity<6 amol (0.03 pM) ATP/well (96-well plate)<6 amol (0.03 pM) ATP/well (96-well plate)
Fluorescence sensitivity<7 amol (0.35 pM) Fluorescein (384sv plate)<7 amol (0.35 pM) Fluorescein (384sv plate)
TRF sensitivityNot available5 amol Eu (96-well plate)
Crosstalk10-610-6
Dynamic range>6 orders of magnitude
0-3.5 OD
>6 orders of magnitude
0-3.5 OD

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