Centro LB 963 Microplate Luminometer

LB 963 Centro Microplate Luminometer "Research" for 96 well microplates with liquid waste aspiration pump, including ICE software package

The Centro is a high-performance, easy to use 96-well microplate luminometer for both, flash and glow luminescence applications.

The optimized optical system provides lowest background and negligible crosstalk (10-6). Due to its superior sensitivity (< 1.8 zmol firefly luciferase) and wide dynamic range (> 6 orders of magnitude), The Centro is ideally suited for all luminescent reporter gene assays, immunoassays (LIA, ILMA), cell-based and biochemical assays.

DESIGNED TO SUPPORT YOUR RESEARCH

Optimize your bench space

•  Flat system surface that provides enough space for a laptop
•  Functions, such as the optional injectors, are integrated into the laboratory housing saving space and providing convenient access

Technology for maximum freedom of application

The Centro provides various technologies and a range of options to address specific assay needs you may have:

• Superior detector technology: Low noise photon counting photomultiplier (PMT) providing a better signal-to-noise ratio and a more stable signal
• Shaking: 3 modes with variable amplitude and speed for optimal sample distribution when preparing long term kinetic studies.
• Heater: Optional sandwich-type heater to reduce evaporation effects for better temperature control.
• Reagent dispensing: Up to 3 independently controlled JET-injectors providing highest precision and accuracy (>98%) over the entire volume range.
• Robot compatibility: Optional robot integration module for easy integration into your lab automation workflow.

Centro benefits at a glance

• Have confidence in your results: Ultrasensitive design, excellent crosstalk reduction (10-6) and broad dynamic range (> 6 orders of magnitude) for superior performance.
• Designed to support your research: A built-in shaker, JET-injectors and temperature control (model-dependent) in combination with an ergonomic design and automation compatibility for maximum flexibility.
• Easy setup and analysis: The system is ready to start within minutes (plug & play) and the easy-to-use ICE Software manages instrument control, data collection and data analysis.
• Easy validation: Installation Qualification, Operation Qualification and Performance Qualification steps are performed according to detailed instructions provided (optional 3Q package).

Differentiating Features and Benefits

A. General

1. The proprietary ultrasensitive design of the Centro Microplate Luminometer combines lowest background and negligible crosstalk (10-6) with superior sensitivity and a wide dynamic range.
2. The system includes free-of-charge instrument driver updates for the life-time of the instrument.
3. The optional injectors, are integrated into the laboratory housing saving space and providing convenient access.
4. Preconfigured configurations with the freedom to choose the number of injectors.
5. The system has a flat surface on its top, providing enough space to put down a laptop.
6. Berthold Technologies offers Telephone Technical Support and Field Applications, Sales, and Service Support to help solve chemistry and instrumentation problems encountered with supported applications.
7. The system is developed and manufactured in accordance with quality system requirements that comply with ISO9001:2015 standards as well as ISO 14001:2015.

B. Instrument

B.1 Detection Technologies The instrument can is equipped with the following detection technologies: Flash- & Glow Luminescence

B.2 Detection Unit

The system is equipped with

1.  Low-noise photomultiplier tube in single photon counting mode (spectral range: 340 – 630 nm)
• Low-noise photomultipliers are selected for high performance and operated in photon counting mode

• Large dynamic range of >6 decades (without need for adjustments or switching)

• Stable response and no need for response calibration

• Without gain adjustment

• Fast reading times

B.3 Measurement modes

The system offers the following measurement modes:

1.  Well scanning with 100 x 100 points
2.  Kinetic measurements (option to perform long-term kinetics over 7 days and more)
3.  Endpoint measurements

B.4 Optical system

1. The system is equipped with the proprietary ultrasensitive design, combining lowestbackground and negligible crosstalk (10-6) with superior sensitivity and a wide dynamic range.

B.5 Reagent injection

1. Up to 3 reagent injectors based on JET injection technology by Berthold Technologies, using Teflon bellows for accurate and fast injections even for smallest injections volumes. JET injectors guarantee most efficient mixing as well as extreme longevity.

• a. Variable speeds: 200 – 440 μl/sec
• b. Variable volumes: 10 – 100 μl
• c. 1 μl increments
• d. Fast and efficient mixing
• e. Frictionless
• f. Injectors suitable for injection of cell suspensions
• g. Only Teflon, Teflon-derivates and PP in contact with reagents
• h. Accuracy better 98 % (total volume range)
• i. Precision better 98 % (total volume range)
• j. Prime volume of <1 ml (for entire and homogeneously filled lines)
• k. Possibility to retrieve reagents back from line
• l. Customizable priming procedure (via software)
• m. Injection in measurement position (e.g. fast kinetics) (not in the XS model)
• n. Reagent containers and reagent level visible during operation

B.6 Shaking

1. The integrated shaking function offers 3 modes (linear, orbital and double orbital) and userdefinable speed (420 to 1020 rpm) and amplitude (0.1 to 5 mm)

B.7 Incubation

B.8 Waste pump

1. All instruments come with an integrated waste pump for priming and washing of the injectors. No need to insert a washing plate if you prime or wash your injectors.

B.9 Crosstalk reduction

1. The specific crosstalk reduction design of the system results in a crosstalk of 10-6

B.10 Microplate formats

1. The following sample/plate formats can be used in the system:
• a. 96-well plates, solid and strip

C. Performance

1. Luminescence:

• i. < 1.8 amol ATP (Centro XS)
• ii. < 1.8 zmol firefly lucif. (Centro XS)
• iii. < 5 amol ATP (Centro)
• iv. < 2 zmol firefly luciferase (Centro)

D. Software

• The instrument control and evaluation software (ICE) is designed to control the instrument and perform data analysis. The analysis module of the software provides
• a. Live graphic display
• b. Data export (XLS, TXT, PDF)
• c. Ratio calculation
• d. Curve fitting
• The optional MikroWin Software offers instrument control as well as advanced analysis and quality control (QC) functions (features are version depending). QC features include
• a. Customized analysis report function
• b. Audit trail
• c. Configurable user hierarchies
• d. Automated file name generation
• e. Control history for validation
• f. Assay lot no. verification
• g. 21 CFR part 11 compliance