SpectraMax i3x

Multi-Mode Detection Platform

Explore a wealth of applications in one future-ready system

Benefits
User-upgradeable application
modules including cellular imaging
Sensitivity across spectrum with
Spectral Fusion Illumination
Expanded dynamic range with
cooled PMT
Control and analytics provided by
SoftMax Pro Software

SpectraMax i3x
The SpectraMax i3x from Molecular Devices
is a multi-mode detection system that evolves
with your future needs and offers an unlimited
breadth of application possibilities.
Future ready
The SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode microplate reader measures spectral-based Absorbance,
Fluorescence, and Luminescence with the added functionality of modular upgrades for
Western Blot, Imaging, and Fast Kinetics with Injectors.
The SpectraMax i3x reader allows you to unravel the mysteries of science by exploring
cellular pathways and protein activation and expression in one system. Protect your initial
investment purchase a system with the flexibility to add novel detection capabilities
without the need for service engineers or costly system downtime. The SpectraMax i3x
reader grows with you as your research areas expand.
Be Future Ready with the SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode Detection Platform.

Increased fluorescence performance. Spectral Fusion

Illumination is a powerful combination of Xenon flash
lamp and LEDs that provides unmatched signal strength
and superior sensitivity across the full spectrum.

ENGINEERED TO PERFORM

Expanded dynamic range

Engineered for performance with spectral fusion illumination for increased sensitivity
across the entire excitation range and a cooled photomultiplier tube (PMT) for improved
detection in extremely low light. Generate more data points without the need to dilute.

User-upgradeable applications
User-exchangeable detection modules expand the systems detection capabilities
to include Time-Resolved Fluorescence, HTRF, Fast Kinetics with Injectors, and

Quantitative low-light measurement

Cooled PMT reduces background noise
allowing for a more sensitive, wide
dynamic range in extremely low light.

Western Blot detection.

Future proof your discoveries and let the SpectraMax i3x reader evolve with your research.

One complete solution

With available options such as the SpectraMax MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer,
ScanLater Western Blot cartridge, reagents optimized for high performance, and the
industry-leading data acquisition and analysis tool SoftMax Pro, the SpectraMax i3x
Detection Platform is the total solution for all your research needs.
Let Molecular Devices and the SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode Detection Platform
power your next landmark discovery.

New applications in minutes

Adding modes and functionality is just
minutes away. Simply insert a cartridge
to expand your application capabilities.

Your total solution

Matched reagents, an imaging
cytometer option, user-upgradable
detection modules, and industryleading SoftMax Pro provide you with
the ability to explore every pathway.

A WEALTH OF APPLICATIONS IN ONE FUTURE-READY SYSTEM

Investigate every aspect of a cellular pathway

From imaging of cell confluence and viability under different treatment conditions to quantitation of nucleic acids and protein to western blot analysis, a
wealth of new knowledge is captured using a single instrument. One versatile software package powers data acquisition and analysis, from raw data to
publishable results. See more and do more cellular to protein analysis using a single detection system.

2015
Volume
Issue

Academic
Journal

Set up

Acquire

Identify

Analyze

Publish

Live cell imaging

Visualize cells with your microplate reader

The SpectraMax MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer option allows for live cell
images and analysis (below, left). The ScanLater Western Blot Detection
Cartridge enables protein detection (bottom, right).

Imaging with the SpectraMax MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer mirrors the
plate reading workflow on the SpectraMax i3x System. The plate is set up
for reading and images are acquired according to specified parameters.
Cells in each image are identified by SoftMax Pro Software and cell-by-cell
statistics are collected. Data are then analyzed and visualized in different
graphical representations.

Optional enhancements
SpectraMax MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer

SpectraMax i3x Injector Cartridge

ScanLater Western Blot System

SoftMax Pro GxP Microplate Data Compliance Software

SpectraDrop Micro-Volume Microplate

IQ/OQ Protocols

SpectraTest Validation Packages (ABS1, FL1, LM1)

Additional detection modules

Technical specifications (base system)

General specifications

Absorbance photometric performance

Dimensions (in.)

12.63 (H) x 15.38 (W) x 23.38 (D)

Wavelength range

2301000 nm

Dimensions (cm)

42.23 (H) x 39.05 (W) x 59.37 (D)

Wavelength bandwidth

4.0 nm

Weight

68.3 lbs. (31.0 kg)

Wavelength accuracy

2.0 nm

Power consumption

< 200 watts

Wavelength repeatability

1.0 nm

Power source

100240 Vac, 2 A, 50/60 Hz

Photometric range

04.0 OD

Robotic-compatible

Yes

Photometric resolution

0.001 OD

Photometric accuracy

< 0.010 OD 1.0%, 02 OD

General photometric performance

Plate formats

6 to 1536 wells

Photometric precision

< 0.003 OD 1.0%, 02 OD

Stray light

< 0.05% @ 230 nm

Light source

Spectral Fusion Illumination (Xenon flash

lamp + high-powered LEDs or laser diode in
detection cartridges)

Reading capabilities

Microplates, cuvettes (via adapter)

Detectors

PMT and/or photodiode

Shaking

Linear and orbital

Fluorescence intensity performance

Wavelength range

250850 nm

Wavelength selection

1.0 nm increments

Bandwidth (EX/EM)

Adjustable EX 9/15 nm EM15/25 nm

Dynamic range

> 6 logs

Top sensitivity (fluorescein)

Optimized

96 wells

0.5 pM

384 wells

1 pM
Optimized

Dual Auto Injectors

Available October 1, 2015

Temp. control

4C above ambient to 45C

Temp. uniformity

0.75C

Temp. accuracy

1C at 37C set point

Environmental control

Gas quick connect

Spectral scanning

Abs, FI, Lum

Bottom sensitivity (fluorescein)

Endpoint reading

All modes

96 wells

5 pM

Kinetic reading

All modes

384 wells

5 pM

Well scanning

Over 20 by 20 in all modes

Luminescence performance

Wavelength selection

1.0 nm increments

Wavelength range

300850 nm

Wavelength selection

Choice of simultaneous detection of all

wavelengths or selection in 1.0 nm increments

Dynamic range

> 6 decades

Cross-talk

< 0.4% in white 96- and 384-well microplates

Sensitivity (ATP-Glow)

Optimized

96 wells

3 pM

384 wells

6 pM

Standard read times (minutes:seconds)*

96 wells

384 wells

Absorbance

0:30

1:40

Fluorescence intensity

0:25

1:25

Luminescence

0:30

1:15

* With 6 flashes in absorbance and 3 flashes in fluorescence mode and 0.1 sec./well
integration in 96-well luminescence mode and 0.04 sec./well integration in 384-well
luminescence mode
1536 detection available via detection cartridges

Scan the QR code

to request more
information on the
SpectraMax i3x
Multi-Mode
Detection Platform.

Additional cartridges
The SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode Detection Platform utilizes a patent-pending design that allows for real-time system configuration by the user in less than two
minutes. This revolution in modularity makes no-compromise detection the norm. The broad array of SpectraMax i3x Detection Cartridges enables the user
to perform an ever-evolving array of applications. Although your detection needs may change, your equipment can stay the same simply by adding a new
detection cartridge.

Optimized
sensitivity

Guaranteed
sensitivity

Slots
used

20 amol
ATP (Flash
luminescence
using Promega
Enliten)

50 amol ATP (<=>

250 fM @ 0.2mL/well,
Flash luminescence
using Promega Enliten)
3 fmol ATP (<=> 15 pM
@ 0.2mL/well, Glow
luminescence using
PerkinElmer ATPlite
1step)

High fg levels
of
Streptavidin

High fg levels of
Streptavidin

Alpha 384 STD

96- and 384-well plates

< 100 amol

(384-well)

0200-7018POS

Alpha 384 HTS

96- and 384-well plates

< 100 amol

(384-well)

0200-7019POS

Alpha 1536 HTS

96, 384, and
1536-well plates

< 100 amol

(384-well)

0200-7011POS

6- to 1536-well plates

Exceeds Cisbio certification requirements

0200-7008POS

6- to 1536-well plates

960.03 pM
3840.03 pM
15360.125 pM

96-well: 0.1 pM
384-well: 0.1 pM
1536-well: 0.375 pM

0200-7009POS
0200-7010POS

Fluorescein FP
EX 485 nm,
EM 535P and 535S nm

961.0 mP
3841.5 mP
15362.0 mP

96-well: 3 mP
384-well: 4 mP
1536-well: 6 mP

Cartridge

Description

Name

Specifications

Dual Auto Injector

SpectraMax i3x Injector Cartridge with

SmartInject Technology
Expand your research capabilities to
include flash-based applications, including dual luciferase and ATP assays.

0200-7029

Wavelength range (LUM):

Visible to 650 nm

Western blot detection using ScanLater

Western Blot Assay Kit

0200-7027

EX range: 340/80 nm
EM range: 616/10 nm

0200-7017POS

ScanLater

Dead volume: < 10 L with

Reverse Prime function

TRF-based with 340/80 nm EX and

616/10 nm EM
AlphaScreen

AlphaScreen and AlphaLisa detection

using 1 W 680 nm EX laser diode and a
570 nm (100) EM filter
Pick best speed, sensitivity, and price
for your needs
Guaranteed sensitivity: < 100 amol
phosphorylates biotin-peptide in 25 L
assay volume in a 384-well plate

HTRF

Cisbio HTRF detection with optimized

Xenon light source and 616, 665 nm
EM filters
Measures both emissions simultaneously

TRF

LED light source and Europium

EX and EM filters (370-616 nm)
Suitable for assays using Europium
chelate and similar labels
Includes 642 nm EM filter for TR-FRET
assays with Samarium labels

FP

Fluorescence Polarization detection for

fluorescein- or rhodamine-like labels
Using specific LED and EX/EM filters
for 6- to 1536-well plates

Custom Solutions

Custom cartridges are available

and designed to meet your specific
research needs

Rhodamine FP
EX 535 nm,
EM 595P and 595S nm

Ask your local sales representative for more information

Molecular Devices Assay Kit Compatibility

Molecular Devices offers a wide range of assay kits specifically designed for the SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode Microplate Reader. Each assay kit is optimized
for maximum performance and is supported with software protocols and analysis that enables you to go from samples to answers quickly.
For more information, or to purchase assay kits, please visit www.moleculardevices.com/reagents.

Assay Kit

Description

Applications

EarlyTox Cell Viability

Assay Kits

These assay kits are a family of fluorescence-based reagents for the assessment of cell viability, cell
proliferation, and various apoptosis events using mammalian cells. Optimized for use with microplate
readers, these assay kits employ a no-wash, homogeneous assay protocol that enables characterization of a full concentration-response profile of test compounds.

Detect cell viability and cell

proliferation on fluorescence
microplate readers

EarlyTox Cardiotoxicity Kit

The EarlyTox Cardiotoxicity Kit provides a fast, simple, and reliable fluorescence-based method
for identifying cardiotoxic compounds in a biorelevant assay. Using cultured cardiomyocytes
and a kinetic plate reader, researchers can prioritize leads and direct medicinal chemistry efforts
sooner, improving productivity and reducing costs associated with extensive safety testing
downstream.

Cell-based assays screen

more compounds and
identify toxicity earlier in drug
discovery

EarlyTox Cell
Integrity Kit*

The EarlyTox Cell Integrity Kit enables the differentiation of live cells from dead cells via fluorescent labeling. This is useful for the rapid quantification of cell viability when used with the
Molecular Devices SpectraMax MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer or other fluorescence-based
cellular imaging instruments.

Differentiates live cells from

dead cells via fluorescent
labeling

SpectraMax Quant
dsDNA Assay Kits

The SpectraMax Quant dsDNA Assay Kits are designed for fluorescence-based dsDNA quantitation
across a broad range of concentrations. Tailored to your different needs, these kits are configured and
optimized for Molecular Devices SpectraMax microplate readers with preconfigured protocols provided in SoftMax Pro Software for simplified data acquisition and analysis.

Optimized DNA measurement

for your microplate reader assay

SpectraMax Glo
Steady-Luc Reporter
Assay Kit

The SpectraMax Glo Steady-Luc Reporter Assay Kit provides a highly sensitive assay for the quantitation of firefly luciferase expression in mammalian cells. This kit is optimized for Molecular Devices
SpectraMax microplate readers with a preconfigured protocol provided in SoftMax Pro Software for
simplified data acquisition and analysis.

Luciferase measurement for

your microplate reader assay

CatchPoint cAMP and

cGMP Fluorescent
Assay Kits

The CatchPoint cAMP and cGMP Fluorescent Assay Kits high-affinity reagents are optimized for sensitivity and precision in applications where cAMP and cGMP levels are low. A single wash step removes
unbound material prior to the development step, so the assays are very resistant to interference from
colored or fluorescent test compounds.

Measures cAMP levels via

a competitive immunoassay
format

IMAP Kinase, Phosphatase, and Phosphodiesterase Assays

IMAP technology provides a homogeneous assay for the assessment of kinase, phosphatase,
and phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. The assay is a simple mix-and-read procedure utilizing
free phosphate-binding nanoparticles directly reporting converted product, not enzyme reaction
components or by-products.

Homogeneous assays for accurate determination of kinase,

phosphatase, and phosphodiesterase activities

QBT Fatty Acid

Uptake
Assay Kit

The QBT Fatty Acid Uptake Assay is a homogeneous assay amenable to high-throughput
screening. The kits deliver pre-optimized, fluorescence-based formulations to expedite assay
development and screening of fatty acid transporters.

Single-step, homogeneous,
fluorescent assay for monitoring the activity of fatty acid
transport proteins

Neurotransmitter
Transporter Uptake
Assay Kit

The ability to monitor serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine neurotransmitter uptake is key
to a better understanding of diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons. With the Neurotransmitter Transporter Uptake Assay Kit, researchers now have a tool to study these three key
neurotransmitters with a live-cell, fluorescent, plate reader-based assay.

Live-cell kinetic assay to

measure uptake of serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine neurotransmitters

ScanLater Western
Blot Assay Kit**

The ScanLater Western Blot Assay Kit is a time-resolved fluorescence (TRF)-based assay optimal for quantitating as little as femtogram protein samples. Eliminate time-dependent substrate
addition steps, sustain blot signal stability for at least one month, enhance assay sensitivity using
TRF method to reduce background noise, and maintain femtogram to picogram protein sensitivity similar to traditional western blot detectors.

Substrate-free immunoblot
assay for extended signal
stability

* Requires optional MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer

** Requires optional ScanLater Western Blot Detection Cartridge

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The trademarks used herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respective owners.
Specifications subject to change without notice. Patents: www.moleculardevices.com/productpatents
FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES.

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