Used Molecular Devices SpectraMax® M2 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader

The Molecular Devices SpectraMax® M2 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader​ is a compact, high-performance benchtop instrument designed to deliver exceptional optical flexibility and data reliability for life science research, drug discovery, and routine laboratory assays. As a cornerstone of the SpectraMax M Series, the M2 integrates two essential detection modalities—UV-Visible Absorbance and Fluorescence Intensity—into a single, user-friendly platform. Its sophisticated dual-monochromator (grating-based) optical system allows for precise wavelength selection in 1 nm increments across broad spectral ranges, eliminating the ongoing cost, hassle, and limitations associated with physical filter wheels. This design enables researchers to effortlessly optimize excitation and emission settings for virtually any fluorophore directly from the software interface, ensuring assay performance that rivals dedicated single-mode readers.

A defining feature of the SpectraMax M2 is its integrated dual-mode cuvette port, which allows users to perform quick optimizations and low-throughput measurements using standard cuvettes before seamlessly scaling protocols up to high-throughput microplate formats (6- to 384-well plates). To guarantee data accuracy and simplify quantitative analysis, the M2 is equipped with Molecular Devices’ patented PathCheck® Sensor​ technology. This innovative feature automatically measures the sample height (pathlength) in each microplate well and normalizes the absorbance reading to a standard 1 cm pathlength. Consequently, researchers can calculate concentrations directly from absorbance values using known extinction coefficients, entirely removing the need to run tedious standard curves for nucleic acid and protein quantification. The system utilizes a high-energy xenon flash lamp and sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to maximize signal detection while minimizing background noise.

The SpectraMax M2 supports multiple read types, including Endpoint, Kinetic, Spectral Scan, and Well Area Scan, making it highly adaptable to various experimental needs such as enzyme kinetics, ELISA, microbial growth curves, and cell viability assays. It offers built-in temperature control (Ambient +4°C to 45°C) and linear plate shaking to maintain optimal reaction conditions for time-dependent assays. The reader is driven by the industry-leading SoftMax® Pro Software, which provides intuitive workflow setup, powerful data analysis tools, and robust compliance features (including 21 CFR Part 11 options) for regulated GxP environments. While the standard M2 model features top-read fluorescence, the upgraded M2e​ variant adds bottom-read fluorescence capability, which is particularly critical for adherent cell-based assays. Compact yet powerful, the SpectraMax M2 provides a cost-effective, space-saving, and highly reliable solution for laboratories requiring premium optical performance and assay versatility without the complexity of larger, multi-detection systems.

Technical Specifications