Varioskan ALF Multimode Microplate Reader

Overview

The Thermo Scientific Varioskan ALF Multimode Microplate Reader is a versatile, entry level reader for most common absorbance, turbidimetric, fluorescence, and luminescence microplate assays. Its photometric optical design is based on a xenon flash lamp and monochromator, enabling continuous wavelength selection from UV through visible range up to 1000 nm. The broad wavelength range enables many common assays, including nucleic acid and protein quantification, bacterial growth curves, ELISA, and cell viability.

Enhance your fluorescence and luminescence measurements with the filter-based optics

With the Varioskan ALF reader, fluorescence and luminescence measurements are performed with filter-based optics for optimal specificity and sensitivity. The system comes with three pre-installed excitation and emission filter sets suitable for many common fluorometric applications like Quant-IT DNA quantitation assays and PrestoBlue and AlamarBlue cell viability assays. Additionally, five open filter positions are available for customized fluorometric and luminometric measurements. The filter slots are easy to access on the instrument’s side with no tools required for filter exchange. Also, commonly used FRET and BRET assays are easy to set up and perform thanks to Varioskan ALF reader’s unique filter-based optics design.

This package includes a Varioskan ALF Multimode Microplate Reader (Cat. No. VA000010C) and a Rapid Exchange two-year extended warranty.

Achieve consistently accurate results with automatic gain adjustment

The automatic gain adjustment feature selects the ideal fluorometric or luminometric reading range for your instrument based on signal intensity in the well, eliminating the need to manually adjust measurement parameters. The results are consistent no matter what signals are measured.

Additional features

Kinetic and endpoint measurements for a variety of applications
Spectral scanning for photometric measurements
Separate optimized measurement modes for absorbance and turbidimetric measurements
A self-diagnostics system that includes a set of initialization tests and adjustments, ensuring instrument readiness for operation
Compatible with 6- to 384-well microplates with and without lids
Reads μDrop and μDrop Duo plates for microvolume analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins
Performs onboard shaking and incubation for temperature-critical assays
Operated through SkanIt softwareUnlimited installation on multiple computers, no annual fee requiredIncludes an extensive cloud-based library of ready-made protocolsTwo editions available: Research Edition for life sciences and Drug Discovery Edition with features for compliance with 21 CFR Part 11Multiple user interface languages availableAutomation compatibility for integration with automation interface
Thermo Scientific verification plates provide comprehensive and traceable validation of the instrument optical performance. Ready-made SkanIt software protocols provide easy to read reports with defined measurement parameter limits

Varioskan ALF Multimode Microplate Reader with 2-year Extended Warranty (A66711), REX is a Varioskan ALF specific package SKU including the instrument (VA000010C), and an extended warranty to 2 years which includes a rapid exchange service (REX) should the instrument get broken during the warranty period.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Versatile, entry-level multimode reader

The Thermo Scientific Varioskan ALF Microplate Reader is a versatile, plug and play, entry-level multimode system designed for researchers who need reliable multimode capability without added complexity. It supports absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, and turbidimetric assays used across everyday life science research—helping researchers move from sample to results quickly and confidently. With intuitive SkanIt Software and hardware designed to support complete assay workflows, Varioskan ALF offers the right balance of simplicity and capability for labs that want efficient, reliable performance without unnecessary features.

Features

Simple to set up, easy to use

Guided workflows, application-focused configurations, and easy installation reduce setup decisions and training time, allowing researchers to focus on running assays and interpreting results.

Designed for the assays you rely on most

Multimode capability aligned to your assay needs including nucleic acid and protein quantitation, ELISA, cell proliferation and viability assays, functional assays, endotoxin testing, bacterial growth curves, and more.

Simple software with unlimited licenses

SkanIt Software offers ready-to-use protocols which include calculations combined with streamlined data acquisition and analysis to enable an efficient workflow. Unlimited installations with no annual software fees make it easy to deploy across labs without added software friction.

Supports complete workflows for critical assays

Onboard shaking and incubation support temperature-critical assays by maintaining consistent experimental conditions, while a xenon flash lamp complements these workflows with UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence measurements providing broader capability and longer service life than halogen-based systems.

Frequently asked questions

Can relative fluorescence units (RFUs) be compared between two different plate readers?

Relative fluorescence units (RFUs) cannot be compared between two different microplate readers. RFU values are arbitrary and dimensionless, meaning that the actual numbers don’t have a specific physical meaning, but the relative values are used for comparison. The critical measurement is the ratio of signal to background.
Whether the signal is low or high is 100% dependent on the baseline, i.e., if the sample signal is 2 and the baseline is 1, then it is a low signal but if the sample signal is 2 and the baseline is 0.01, then it is a very high signal. Instruments that typically give sample signals in the tens of thousands RFUs also typically have baseline RFUs somewhere in the tens or hundreds. For example, the Varioskan Microplate Reader is designed such that the baseline is kept below 0.1 RFU.

Specifications

Varioskan™ ALF Multimode Microplate Reader (Cat. No. VA000010C)

Absorbance Range	200 to 1000 nm
Accuracy (Photometric)	±1.0% + 0.003 Abs (0 to 2 Abs), ±2.0% (2.0 to 2.5 Abs) at 450 nm (96-well plate)
Bandwidth	Photometry: 2.5 nm
Cuvettes	No
Depth (Metric)	61 cm
Detector Type	Photomultiplier Tube (PMT)
Dimensions (L x W x H)	61 x 34 x 40 cm
Dynamic Range	Fluorometry and Luminometry: ≥6 Decades
Emission Wavelength Range	210-720 nm
Excitation Wavelength Range	200-710 nm
Filters	Three factory installed fluorometric filter pairs: Coumarin family (Excitation 345/25 nm, Emission 450/40 nm); Fluorescein family (Excitation 485/15 nm, Emission 525/15 nm); Resorufin family (Excitation 555/15 nm, Emission 615/45 nm)
For Use With (Application)	Photometric, fluorometric and luminometric microplate assays
Height (Metric)	40 cm
Includes	SkanIt Software, Research Edition
Incubator Temperature	Ambient +2° to 45°C
Interface	PC Software (Thermo Scientific SkanIt Software)
Light Source	Xenon Flash Lamp
Linearity	0 to 2.5 Abs, 2.0% at 450 nm (96-well plate)
Measurement Speed	Photometry: ≤10 sec. (fast mode); Fluorometry and Luminometry: ≤20 sec. (96-well plate)
Precision	SD <0.003 Abs, or CV <1.0% at 450 nm
Product Line	Varioskan
Product Type	Multimode Microplate Reader
Quantity	Microplate Reader + 1 year warranty
Reading Options	Endpoint
Sensitivity	Photometry (DNA): <1 ng/μL (96-well half area plate); Turbidimetry (formazin): <5 turbidity units (FTUs) (96-well plate); Fluorometry (fluorescein): 0.35 fmol/well (black 384-well plate); Luminometry (ATP): <275 amol/well (white 96-well plate)
Shaking	Double Orbital
Software Language Versions	English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, Chinese
Software Type	SkanIt Software
Spectral Scanning Speed	≤16 sec. (Fast mode)
Unit Size	1 each
Voltage	100/115/220/230 V
Warranty	1-year Standard
Weight (Metric)	24.5 kg
Width (Metric)	34 cm

Varioskan ALF Multimode Microplate Reader – specifications

Category	Attribute	Description
Absorbance	Light source	Xenon flash lamp
Wavelength selection	Monochromator
Wavelength range	200–1,000 nm
Bandwidth	2.5 nm
Wavelength setting resolution	1 nm
Wavelength accuracy	±2 nm
Stray light, @230 nm	<0.05%
Linearity (absorbance), @450 nm	96-well plate: 0–2.5 Abs, 2.0%
Accuracy (absorbance), @450 nm	96-well plate: For 0–2.0 Abs: ±(1.0% + 0.003 Abs) For 2.0–2.5 Abs: ±2.0%
Precision (absorbance), @450 nm	SD <0.003 Abs or CV <1.0%, whichever is greater
DNA sensitivity @260 nm*	96-well half area plate: <1 ng/μL
Turbidimetric sensitivity*	96-well plate: <5 formazin turbidity units (FTUs)
Measurement speed**	96-well plates Fast mode: ≤10 seconds Precision mode: ≤26 seconds
Spectral scanning speed	Fast mode: ≤16 seconds from 200–1,000 nm with 1 nm steps
Precision mode: ≤200 seconds from 200–1,000 nm with 1 nm steps
Fluorescence intensity	Dynamic range	≥6 decades
Sensitivity*	Black 384-well plate: 0.35 fmol/well FITC
Wavelength	Excitation wavelength: 200–710 nm Emission wavelength: 210–720 nm
Wavelength selection	Filter wheels with three factory filter pairs and five optional filter positions
Factory installed filter pairs [wavelength (nm)/FWHM†(nm)]	Coumarin family filter pair Excitation 345/25 Emission 450/40
FITC family filter pair Excitation 485/15 Emission 525/15
Resorufin family filter pair Excitation 555/15 Emission 615/45
Dual label measurements speed	<1 second
Measurement speed, fixed dynamic range**	96-well plates: ≤20 seconds
Measurement time	10–1,000 ms
Luminescence	Wavelength selection	Five optional filter positions
Wavelength range	200–720 nm
Dynamic range	˃6 decades
Sensitivity*	White 96-well plate: <275 amol/well ATP
Crosstalk (96-well white plate)	White 96-well plate: ≤0.1%
Measurement speed, fixed dynamic range**	96-well plates: ≤20 seconds
Measurement time	10 ms to 10 seconds
Incubator	Temperature range	From ambient +2°C to 45°C (room temperature 25°C)
Liquid warm-up time	96-well plate, 200 μL water/well: <60 minutes from 25°C to 37°C
Mean temperature of wells at 37°C	±0.5°C
Plate temperature uniformity at 37°C	<1.0°C
Shaker	Shaking modes	Linear, orbital, dual orbital
Shaking speeds	Low, medium, high
Shaking type	Continuous or pulsed
General features	Measurements modes	Endpoint, kinetic, spectra, kinetic spectra
Interface	PC software (SkanIt Software)
Dimensions (D x W x H)	61 x 34 x 40 cm (24 x 14 x 16 in)
Weight	25 kg (55 lbs)

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Varioskan ALF Multimode Microplate Reader – video