The introduction of a dedicated low-evaporation 96-well microplate for use with an upgraded automatic cell analyzer system brings biotechnology researchers a platform for long-term cell-based studies over several days or weeks.

Tecan (Männedorf, Switzerland), the manufacturer of the Infinite 200 PRO multimode reader has updated the instrument’s patent pending Gas Control Module (GCM) to offer simultaneous control of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations, providing rigor in environmental control for a wide range of cell biology applications. The original GCM, which was a breakthrough for cell­based experiments, has now been further enhanced to provide increased measurement accuracy and to minimize cross-interference for oxygen measurements. Combined with redesigned, independent gas inlets, this offers precise, independent control of both oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the reader, with automatic compensation for variations in the atmospheric partial pressure of carbon dioxide via a unique altitude correction function.

To complement and extend the range of the Infinite 200 PRO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., (Waltham, MA, USA) has introduced its line of Nunc Edge microplates. Nunc Edge plates incorporate large perimeter evaporation buffer zones that eliminate well-to-well variability while reducing the overall plate evaporation rate to less than 2% after seven days of incubation.

Combining the GCM features of the reader with the unique evaporation moat feature of the Nunc Edge Plate, the researcher is able to maintain precisely the carbon dioxide and oxygen balance inside the reader’s chamber. This prevents an unwanted pH shift that could result in loss in cell viability, proliferation stop, or cell death. The entire microplate can be used without danger of development of the “edge effect” that routinely occurs due to evaporation from the outer 36 wells of a regular 96-well-plate.

Tecan has included Nunc Edge plate specifications in all of its reader software, saving valuable equipment setup time.

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