Multipurpose microplate reader

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A multipurpose multiplate reader is an extremely versatile and heavily-utilized research instrument. In molecular research, the capacity to analyze large numbers of samples quickly and accurately is critical. Not only does this instrument allow this, but its flexibility (spectrophotometer/fluorometer/luminometer) allows many different types of analyses to be possible. An additional benefit is that the sensitivity of this system allows small volumes to be used, as compared to older technologies. This can significantly reduce the overall costs of an experiment which often use expensive molecular and fine chemical reagents. The multidetector multiplate reader can be used to measure enzyme activity, gene expression (green fluorescent protein- or lux-fusions) or metabolite levels in a microplate format that allows 96 or 386-samples to be analyzed. This instrument will be routinely used by a number of research groups at McGill University who study different biological systems to understand how metabolic flux shifts under stress or other conditions. Bede's laboratory will use this instrument to measure cellular changes in plants in response to caterpillar herbivory and to assess the impact of plant nutritional quality on caterpillar physiological processes. By understanding this interaction, this research will lead to strategies for plant protection against insect herbivores. Driscoll's group investigates legume-rhizobia symbiosis involved in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, an agricultural area which may minimize the need for fertilizer inputs. His research focuses on the regulation of enzymes involved in carbon metabolism. Access to this instrument will allow him to measure gene expression and activity of key enzymes. This instrument will be used to measure microbial colony growth by Chernier and Whyte's laboratories. Measuring metabolite levels and/or enzyme activity will allow Whyte's lab to understand how microbial extremophiles are adapted to their environments to potentially adopt these strategies for industrial purposes. Therefore, access to this instrument can be used for a diversity of research programs with goals to increase agricultural efficiency and/or industrial applications.