Microplate Reader & Luminometer Selection Guide
The GloMax® line includes high-performance plate readers with a range of detection options. From advanced multimode luminescence, fluorescence, absorbance, BRET and FRET capabilities to dedicated microplate or single-tube luminometers, there is a GloMax® system for every lab and throughput need.
What Are Microplate Readers?
Many biological assays use bioluminescent, fluorescent or colorimetric reactions to generate a light signal, which must be quantified to interpret the experimental result. If the assay is conducted in a microwell plate, the light output from these assays is measured using a microplate reader (or plate reader). Microplate readers are commonly used in life science laboratories.
Microplate readers may include the ability to detect a single type of light signal, such as fluorescence or luminescence, or may provide more sophisticated capabilities allowing detection of multiple types of signal. Microplate readers capable of detecting multiple signals (such as fluorescence, luminescence and absorbance) are known as multimode readers.
GloMax® instruments are highly sensitive, easy-to-use microplate readers with luminescence, fluorescence and absorbance detection capabilities. These high-performance instruments are offered in a choice of configurations to suit varying detection needs, from dedicated luminometer to advanced microplate reader functionality.
All GloMax® microplate readers are designed to work seamlessly with Promega luminescence- and fluorescence-based assays:
- GloMax® Discover is a microplate reader with luminescence, fluorescence, BRET/FRET and UV-Visible absorbance detection capabilities.
- GloMax® Explorer microplate reader is available with luminescence, fluorescence and absorbance detection capabilities, or with luminescence and fluorescence only.
- GloMax® Navigator is a dedicated plate-reading luminometer.
Microplate Reader Performance
Preloaded Protocols for Faster, Easier, Data Analysis
Easy to Use
Over 50 Protocols
Superior Sensitivity
Low cross-talk in wells
Quality
IQ/OQ Service Available
Have Confidence In Signal Accuracy Recorded From Each Well
GloMax® plate readers have high sensitivity and wide dynamic range, so you can detect high and low signals on the same plate.
GloMax® Application Notes
No need to reinvent the wheel—we've already used GloMax for many applications from BRET to monitoring protein degradation. Search our Application Notes collection for examples using GloMax® instruments with a wide range of bioluminescence- and fluorescence-based assays.
What GloMax® Users Are Saying
In our lab, the Promega GloMax® Navigator Luminometer Microplate Reader is the most popular instrument. The Navigator produced data for all the publications from our lab.
Yang Yang-Hartwich, PhD
Yale School of Medicine
Compare GloMax® Microplate Reader and Luminometer Features
GloMax® Discover |
GloMax® Explorer |
GloMax® Navigator |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Research Use Only | Research Use Only |
Research Use Only |
| Catalog Number | GM3000 | GM3500, GM3510 | GM2000, GM2010 |
| Luminescence | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Fluorescence | Yes | Yes | No |
| BRET/FRET | Yes | Optional | No |
| Absorbance (Visible) | Yes | Preinstalled on GM3500 Optional for GM3510 |
No |
| Absorbance (UV-Visible) | Yes | Optional | No |
| Detection Limit | 3 × 10-21 moles luciferase | 3 × 10-21 moles luciferase | 1.5 × 10-21 moles luciferase |
| Dynamic Range | 9 logs | 9 logs | 9 logs |
| Crosstalk | < 3 × 10-5 | < 3 × 10-5 | < 3 × 10-5 |
| Heating | Ambient to 45°C | Ambient to 45°C | No |
| Shaking | Linear or orbital | Linear or orbital | No |
| Automation Compatible | Yes | Yes | No |
| 21CFR, Part 11 Compliance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Injectors | Available Separately | Available Separately | Preinstalled on GM2010 Optional for GM2000 |
| Format(s) | 6 to 384-well plates | 6 to 384-well plates | 96-well plates |
| Detector | Head-on photon counting photomultiplier tube (PMT) | Head-on photon counting photomultiplier tube (PMT) | Head-on photon counting photomultiplier tube (PMT) |
| Please Enquire View Product Details |
Please Enquire View Product Details |
Please Enquire View Product Details |
One Call Supports It All
We supply both the reagents and the instrument, so one call to Promega answers any questions you may have about assay chemistries or instrument performance.
Ensure Minimal Instrument Downtime
- Service Packages
- IQ and OQ Packages
Warranty and Service Agreements
- Backed by a one-year warranty
- Additional warranty and service agreements are available
- For more information, contact Promega Technical Services
