Multimode plate reader to support research in plant biochemistry, cell biology and ecology

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Funds are requested for the purchase of a multi-mode plate reader. The requested instrument will be used to perform a variety of experiments to support research programs in plant biochemistry, cell biology and ecology. It is designed for high-throughput processing, analysis and quantification of bio-products in micro-volumes of samples. This instrument is multifunctional and designed to analyze samples in microplate format using absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence. It is also equipped with a cytometer that allows to perform basic microscopy and cellular imaging in microplate format. The requested configuration of the instrument also includes cartridges add-ons that expend the flexibility and analytical capabilities of the instrument by allowing to perform time-resolved fluorescence assays for applications like Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer and Fluorescence Polarization detection used for example in the study of interactions between proteins. The requested instrument configuration is also capable of quantifying small amounts of proteins on membranes using Europium-labeled secondary antibodies. This feature is useful in the quantification of proteins in complex extracts or in the study of protein modifications. Because of its multimode design, the requested plate reader will replace two plate readers that are no longer functional and too costly to repair. It will also replace some of the microscopy equipment lost by our unit due to the recent departure of a researcher to another university. It will bring to our Institute new analytical capabilities needed for the development of new research projects. The requested equipment will be integrated in the Proteomics and Biochemistry Platform of our Institute which functions on a user-fee basis. It will be under the responsibility of a qualified research assistant who will be in charge of the training of new users and the regular maintenance of the instrument. The multimode plate reader will be heavily used by the laboratory members of all four co-applicants because many aspects of their research programs depend on the availability of a functioning plate reader. It will also serve as an additional resource for the students and research personnel of other groups in our Institute who work in the areas of molecular and cellular biology and in phytochemistry. Other academic or industry researchers will also have access to the equipment according to the fee structure of the platform. Highly Qualified Personnel trained with this instrument will gain valuable hands-on expertise with a state of the art apparatus that can be used in a variety of fundamental and applied research projects on the job market.