Overview

The Centro LB 963 is a high-performance, easy-to-use 96-well microplate luminometer developed by Berthold Technologies for both flash and glow luminescence applications. Its optimized optical system provides the lowest background and negligible crosstalk (10⁻⁶), making it one of the most sensitive dedicated luminescence readers available.

With superior sensitivity — detecting less than 5 amol of ATP and less than 2 zeptomoles of firefly luciferase — and a dynamic range exceeding 6 orders of magnitude, the Centro is ideally suited for luminescent reporter gene assays, immunoassays (LIA, ILMA), cell-based assays, biochemical assays, and BRET applications. The compact benchtop design features a flat top surface for convenient laptop placement, while optional integrated JET injectors, shaking, and temperature control provide the flexibility needed for complex assay workflows.

Applications

The Centro LB 963 supports a comprehensive range of luminescence-based research and screening applications:

Key Features

• Low-noise photomultiplier tube in single photon counting mode for ultimate sensitivity
• Proprietary ultrasensitive design with lowest background and negligible crosstalk (10⁻⁶)
• Dynamic range >6 orders of magnitude without gain adjustment or switching
• Stable detector response with no need for response calibration
• Up to 3 independently controlled JET injectors with frictionless Teflon bellows technology
• Injector accuracy and precision better than 2% across the entire 10–100 µL volume range
• Integrated waste pump for automatic priming and washing — no washing plate required
• 3-mode shaking (linear, orbital, double orbital) with variable speed and amplitude
• Optional sandwich-type heater: +5°C above ambient up to 45°C
• Well scanning with 100 × 100 points for spatial resolution
• Kinetic measurements supporting long-term studies over 7 days and more
• Optional robot integration module for automated workflows
• Plug-and-play setup — ready to measure within minutes
• Free lifetime instrument driver updates

Detection Technology

The Centro LB 963 is equipped with a carefully selected low-noise photomultiplier tube operated in single photon counting mode, covering a spectral range of 340–630 nm. Berthold's proprietary crosstalk reduction design ensures that light from one well does not interfere with adjacent wells, achieving a crosstalk value of 10⁻⁶ — critical for high-density assays where signal bleed-through can compromise data integrity.

The large dynamic range of >6 decades is achieved without manual gain adjustments or mode switching, simplifying assay setup and ensuring that both dim and bright samples can be measured in the same run.

JET Injection Technology

The Centro can be configured with up to 3 JET injectors based on Berthold's frictionless Teflon bellows technology. These injectors deliver accurate and fast reagent additions even at the smallest volumes, with efficient mixing and extreme longevity.

• Variable volumes: 10 – 100 µL in 1 µL increments
• Variable speed: 200 – 440 µL/sec
• Accuracy and precision better than 2% across the entire volume range
• Frictionless operation for extended lifetime
• Cell-friendly materials suitable for suspension cell injection
• Only Teflon, Teflon derivatives, and polypropylene contact reagents
• Prime volume <1 mL for fully primed lines
• Reagent retrieval function to conserve expensive reagents
• Customizable priming procedure via software
• Injection in measurement position for ultra-fast kinetic capture

The Centro is the only luminescence microplate reader on the market equipped with an integrated waste pump. This feature automatically removes liquid during injector priming and washing, eliminating the need to insert a washing plate and streamlining daily maintenance.

Shaking, Incubation & Environmental Control

The integrated shaking function offers three modes — linear, orbital, and double orbital — with user-definable speed (420 to 1020 rpm) and amplitude (0.1 to 5 mm). This ensures optimal sample distribution when preparing long-term kinetic studies or resuspending settled cells prior to measurement.

An optional sandwich-type heater provides temperature control from +5°C above ambient up to 45°C, reducing evaporation effects and maintaining stable reaction conditions for temperature-sensitive assays.

Software & Data Analysis

The Centro LB 963 includes the ICE (Instrument Control & Evaluation) software package, a wizard-driven application designed for intuitive instrument control and comprehensive data analysis. The system is ready to start within minutes with plug-and-play USB connectivity.

• Wizard support for guided parameter entry
• Single and multiple endpoint measurements
• Kinetics and repeated measurement modes
• Ratio calculation and signal subtraction
• Live graphic display of kinetic curves with zoomed view
• Raw data assays for reporter genes, caspases, and more
• Dual raw data assays (e.g., Dual Luciferase)
• Data export in XLS, TXT, and PDF formats
• Curve fitting tools

For laboratories requiring advanced quality control and compliance features, the optional MikroWin software provides instrument control alongside audit trail, configurable user hierarchies, automated file name generation, control history for validation, assay lot number verification, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.

Validation & Support

Berthold Technologies offers an optional 3Q package (Installation Qualification, Operation Qualification, and Performance Qualification) with detailed instructions to support regulatory compliance and instrument validation. The system is developed and manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 quality system requirements.

Telephone technical support and field applications, sales, and service support are available to help solve chemistry and instrumentation problems encountered with supported applications. Free instrument driver updates are provided for the lifetime of the instrument.

Technical Specifications