Luminescence
Fluorescence (top and bottom)
Fluorescence Polarisation (FP)
Absorbance
BRET
FRET
AlphaScreen™
Time-Resolved Fluorescence
HTRF^®

These are the basic technologies available in Mithras, BERTHOLD Technologies´ extremely versatile multimode reader for microplates.


Reagent Injectors

Up to 4 reagent injectors can be set up to dispense multiple activators or detection reagents at any time and with user-adjustable volumes during the measurement. Excess fluids from priming and washing procedures are safely discarded via an automatic waste pump.

BERTHOLD Technologies´ injectors are base on the proprietory JET Injection technology. Superior accuracy and precision is combined with excellent mixing performance. Variable injections speeds and "friendly" material enable even injection of live cells.

Temperature Control

A temperature controlled microplate compartment (5 °C above room temperature to 40 °C) ensures stable conditions whenever temperature sensitive enzymes or cells are in use.

Stacker & Robotic Integration

An optional microplate stacker or the plate handling robot BUTLER are available when throughput and walk away automation are of interest. The Stacker unit is available with 25 or 50 plate stacks.

Specially designed for but not restricted to the use in HTS departments of drug discovery companies the robot access module allows for uncomplicated integration of the Mithras into any type of lab automation system. Software and hardware easily integrate into existing robotic or liquid handling systems.

DOPS – the unique optics

In contrast to the usual kind of multi-technology instruments the Mithras multimode microplate reader has been designed with a proprietory optical system consisting of optimised paths for each reading technology (DOPS). So, Mithras offers performances known from dedicated instruments. As each technology has its own demands on the optical system only separated light paths ensure that the needs for high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range are met with each technology.

Extreme Versatility

The extreme versatility of Mithras LB 940 by looking at the immense choice of reading technologies

Absorbance
AlphaScreen™
Fluorescence Polarisation
Fluorescence intensity
FRET
Dual excitation, dual emission
Bottom reading fluorescence
BRET and BRET²
Flash luminescence
Glow luminescence
Multi-wavelength luminescence
Dual luminescence
Time-Resolved Fluorescence
HTRF^®

and additional outstanding features like

6 to 1536 well plates
Automatic plate height adjustment
Fast kinetics
Long-term kinetics
Live kinetic monitoring
Up to 4 reagent injectors
Dispensing in 6 to 384 well plates
Fast filter change for ratiometric assays
Shaking
Scanning
Small footprint
Temperature control
Robot accessibility
Stackers
21 CRF part 11 compliancy

Luminescence and BRET performance benefit from the unique and patented highly efficient light collecting optics and an extremely low-noise detector operated in single photon counting mode. In addition a special device ensures that crosstalk between neighbouring wells is decreased to levels that are not detectable any more.

For AlphaScreen™ this highly efficient detection optics paired with the unique Direct Access optics for the laser-based excitation source allows superior performance. Even kinetic readings in AlphaScreen™ technology are possible with Mithras.

For Absorbance measurements Mithras produces reproducible results by using a stabilised light source and a separate photodiode as a detector.

Reliable Fluorescence performance is especially welcome when fluorescence ratio kinetics, as applied in Ca²⁺ monitoring assays, is performed. The flexible software offering multiple reagent injections and sophisticated data evaluation is one part contributing to the superiority of Mithras. The fast and accurate reagent injectors are another.

The HTRF^® assay platform offers the researchers a highly sensitive, robust technology for many applications in drug discovery, e.g. kinase assays.

Fluorescence Polarisation is another homogeneous assay technology Mithras supports in an efficient way.

Plate Formats

Any kind of microplate regardless of its colour and format can be measured. All microplate formats from 6 wells up to 1536 wells are supported. Additionally Petri dishes and Terasaki plates can be loaded with adapters. There is no need for any mechanical adjustment - just select the appropriate plate type in the operating software.

The plate height adjustment module detects the height of the plate used and automatically adjusts the measurement optics for it.

Even filter mats can be handled in the instrument. A specific filter adapter has been developed for dot blots especially taking care for low cross talk while maintaining high counting efficiency.

AlphaScreen™ is a trademark of PerkinElmer.
HTRF^® is a registered trademark of Cisbio.