The Molecular Devices FilterMax F5 (replacing our old Analyst plate reader) is a versatile instrument that offers detection based on fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, luminescence, absorbance, and time resolved FRET. It will operate in 96 and 384 well plate format, and has installed filters for fluorescence of 370, 485 and 535 nm for excitation wavelengths, and 535, 595, and 625 nm options for emission. Please see the FilterMax plate reader data sheetplate reader data sheet for more details and contact Molecular Devices for specialized applications.
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This instrument is available for use in the GBSF 1410 Core facility during normal working hours (following training). A per person training fee will be assessed. In addition, a single instrument use fee will be charged for each session of plate reading. For training and assay set up you will need to provide your own tips, pipettors (P10 and P200 are essential, P1000 and multichannel will make your life easier), and gloves. More information on training can be found here.
To use the FilterMax F5 plate reader, please sign up on the Core Equipment Calendar. Be sure to put your name in the “subject” box and your phone number and lab PI in the “description” box. As a courtesy please try to make reasonable estimates for your use of time on these machines (1 hour is usually sufficient). To schedule a training contact vkrashbrook@ucdavis.edu.
DNA Quantification Core Service
The DNA Technologies Core offers quantification of DNA samples in 96 well plate format as a fee for service. For this we use the PicoGreen reagent from ThermoFisher Molecular Probes and carry out the readings on our Molecular Devices FilterMax F5. PicoGreen is specific for double strand DNA: ssDNA and RNA do not bind the chemical and thus don’t affect the output fluorescence. PicoGreen is relatively unaffected by a wide range of common DNA diluents, so samples can be in Tris, TE, sodium citrate, water, dilute SDS, and even dilute EtOH (<10%) without substantial impact on values. The assay is run using lambda ds DNA as a standard and can obtain linear values over a wide range of DNA concentrations, from <1 ng/ul to 50 ng/ul sample concentration. Our standard assay price includes the setup and standards to run the selected numbers of samples at a single dilution/sample. In order to read at a single dilution you need to know the approximate concentration of your sample since too much or too little DNA will be outside the linear range of the assay. If extra dilutions are required to fall within the linear range of the assay, additional reagent charges may be assessed.
