Tristar 3 Multimode Reader
Tristar 3 Multimode Reader
Filter-based multimode solution
The Tristar 3 is a user-friendly and affordable filter-based multimode plate reader that offers the high-performance analysis you expect from Berthold Technologies instruments. Equipped with ONE-4-ALL optics for uncompromised performance of all detection modes, the system is ready to perform absorbance, luminescence and fluorescence measurements.
HIGHLIGHTS
DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES
The Tristar 3 Multimode Microplate Reader provides you with application flexibility for today, tomorrow, and beyond to master your changing plate reading applications:
- High-sensitivity Luminescence
- BRET
- Absorbance (UV/VIS)
- Fluorescence
- FRET
ONE-4-ALL Optics for uncompromised performance
Our patented ONE-4-ALL optics have been optimised to combine the stability and user-friendliness of a multimodal optical system with the sensitivity and versatility of dedicated optical devices.
ONE-4-ALL optics work for both filter- and monochromator-based applications, so there´s never a compromise in performance in any mode.
High-performance filter system - when sensitivity counts
The quick-change filter technology of the Tristar series provides you with the flexibility required to meet your application needs: up to 40 different excitation and emission filters can be easily mounted on exchangeable filter slides.
The filters are characterized by high transmissions properties which can be up to 25-fold that of monochromators. Technologies like Time-Resolved Fluorescence (TRF) can be measured more efficiently with filters.
Furthermore, filters with a large bandwidth are available to analyze fluorophores with wide spectra and all luminescence-based assay requiring to use filters, e.g. BRET, BRET2 and NanoBRET™ assays.
Ergonomic design to support your work
The ergonomic design of the system provides full front access for all key operations (e.g. plate loading, filter change and connecting reagents). Reagent vials can be stored in an integrated front compartment, providing easy access and visibility.
It contains a removable trough that can be filled with water or ice to keep all reagents cooled. Different reagent tube holders are available to ensure secure handling of valuable reagents. The system has a flat surface on its top, providing enough space to put down a laptop.
Powerful crosstalk control – reliable results
Do you often see a few high-intensity samples surrounded by wells of low-intensity when running your samples? Then you´re potentially affected by a phenomenon called crosstalk, that can produce wrong results and, hence, wrong conclusions. The crosstalk reduction design of the Tristar 3 does almost eliminate this problem: with a crosstalk of 10-6, you never have to worry about the position of your high-intensity samples in your plate.
JET injectors: highest accuracy, speed and cell-friendliness
The Tristar 3 can be equipped with up to 3 JET injectors with variable volumes in pre-measurement or measurement position. The ultra-fast injection speed of JET injectors eliminates any delay between injection and measurement and enables measurement of fast reactions, e.g. flash luminescence.
Berthold Technologies' JET injectors use Teflon bellows for accurate and fast injections and guarantee most efficient mixing as well as extreme longevity.
- Highest accuracy and reproducibility - 98 % accuracy over the entire volume range
- Low reagent consumption - Low dead volume. Recovers up to 60 % of the reagent in the injector line. A single priming sequence is sufficient to achieve a 99 % homogeneous mix at the tip.
- Low maintenance costs – friction-free operation enables more than 3 million injections without mechanical failure.
- Optimal performance in flash-kinetics - ultra-fast injection enables the measurement of the first 150 ms of a kinetic assay (e.g. Fura-2 or Acridiniumester-assys).
- Worry-free injection of cell suspensions - negligible shear forces ideal when working with living cells, e.g. in Aequorin-based calcium assays
Convenient Software options
Choose between different software options according to your application needs:
ICE Software
- ICE software is an intuitive, wizard-guided software that walks you through the entire process of setting up your system, collecting your data and reporting the results. The software package is as flexible as your research thanks to the many setting options and freely configurable combinations of operating sequences.
MikroWin Software
- The MikroWin software is a complete software solution providing instrument control, data collection, analysis and reporting. The software is available in different versions, reflecting different user needs. The complete Advance version of the software provides 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and additional QC features like audit trail or configurable user hierarchies.
Technical Details
| Detectors |
|
| Detection technologies |
|
| Measurement modes | Endpoint, Kinetics, Repeated, Spectral scan, Area scan (up to 100 x 100 points per well) |
| Filters | High quality interference filters |
| Filter handling | Easy to change filter slides with up to 5 filters per slide, additional slides available |
| Optical system | ONE-4-ALL optics |
| Light source | Xenon flash lamp |
| Spectral range Absorbance | 200-1000 nm |
| Spectral range Luminescence |
Standard: 280-650 nm FL models: 280-850 nm |
| Spectral range Fluorescence |
Excitation: 200-1000 nm Emission, standard: 280-650 nm Emission, FL models: 280-850 nm |
| Injectors | Up to 3 JET injectors with frictionless operation |
| Injector volume | 10-100 µL in 1 µL steps |
| Injection speed | 200 – 440 μL/sec |
| Injector accuracy | Better than 2% |
| Injector precision | Better than 2% |
| Microplate formats | 6- to 384-well |
| Plate height adjustment | 3 different frames depending on plate type |
| Additional sample formats (optional) |
|
| Shaking | Linear, orbital, double orbital, with selectable speed and diameter |
| Temperature control | From ambient +5° to 45° C, includes additional cooling for the photomultiplier |
| Gas connection | Yes (optional) |
| Absorbance precision | Better than 0.6% |
| Absorbance accuracy | Better than 2% |
| Luminescence sensitivity | <6 amol (0.03 pM) ATP/well (96-well plate) |
| Fluorescence sensitivity | <7 amol Fluorescein/well (384-well small volume plate) |
| Crosstalk | 10-6 (black plates) |
| Dynamic range | >6 orders of magnitude 0-3.5 OD |
| Interface | Windows software, connected to computer via USB |
| Operating system | Windows 10 |
| Available software packages | LightCompass®: flexible software for data acquisition, analysis and reporting. |
| Regulations | CE, NRTL |
| Power Supply | 110-240 VAC ± 10% 50/60 Hz Class I |
| Operating Voltage | 24 VDC ± 5% |
| Power consumption | 140 VA |
| Temperature tolerance | Storage: 0-40° C Operation: 15-35° C |
| Humidity tolerance | 10-80% non-condensing maximum relative humidity of 80% for temperatures up to 31°C decreasing linearly to 50% relative humidity up to 40°C |
| Altitude | max 2000 m (above sea level) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 391 x 470 x 344 mm |
| Weight | approx. 20 kg |
| Wavelength Selection | High quality interference filters |
|---|---|
| Measurement Technologies | Luminescence BRET, BRET² Fluorescence (top) Absorbance UV & VIS TR |
| Luminescence | 6 amol/well ATP (96 well) |
| Fluorescence | < 7 amol/well FITC (384sv) |
| Absorbance Range | Accuracy better 2% Precision better 0.6% |
| Time-Resolved Fluor. | < 35 amol/well |
| Dynamic range (linearity) | 6 orders of magnitude (photon counter) 0-3.5 OD (photodiode) |
| Crosstalk | 5 x 10-6 |
| Injection unit | up to 3 injectors, JET injection technology variable volumes: 10 – 100 μL speed 200 – 440 μL/sec accuracy better 2% (over entire range of volume) precision better 2% (over entire range of volume) injections into microplates with up to 384 wells |
| Shaking | 3 modes, variable amplitude and speed |
| Microplate Formats | 6 to 384 well, solid and strip, Dimensions 128 x 86 mm (L x W) height 14.0 – 21.0 mm (adapters necessary) Petri dishes 35 and 60 mm Eppendorf μPlate G 0.5 Standard cuvettes (with cap) |
| Interface | USB |
| PC operating system | Windows 7 (32/64 bit), Windows 10 (32/64 bit) |
| PC Requirements | Pentium like CPU (2 GHz or better / Intel Core iX recommended), 1 free USB port |
| Regulations | CE, NRTL |
| Power Supply | 100 – 240 VAC ±10% 50 / 60 Hz Class I |
| Voltage | 24 VDC ± 5% |
| Dimensions | 391 x 470 x 344 mm |
| Detector | Low-noise photomultiplier tube in dual mode, spectral range 280 - 650 nm (up to 850 nm with extended range PMT) Photo diode: spectral range 200 – 1000 nm |
| Light Source | Xenon flash lamp |
| Wavelength range | 200 - 1000nm |
