biochrom ANTHOS MULTIREAD 400 User manual

July 2010 MR400 Quick Start Guide Version 1.0
BIOCHROM ANTHOS MULTIREAD 400 MICROPLATE READER
QUICK START GUIDE
1. Turn on the instrument. Connect instrument to a power source using the appropriate power cord.
Check user’s manual for important safety information.
2. The display will show the main menu.
Figure 1. MultiRead 400 Display and Keypad
To select options on the screen use the arrow keys to position
cursor and the green button to confirm your selection. The red
button can be used to return to the main menu or to return to
the previous screen.
3. To measure a plate, first define a method.
4. In main menu select DEFINE Method by pressing button 4. A new method can be defined at this
point or an existing method can be edited.
5. Select START a new method.
6. Select the measurement and reference wavelengths by scrolling through filters using the right
and left arrow keys.
Note: A reference reading is recommended to account for optical interference that
may result from the plate. For reference reading, select a wavelength that the
sample of interest does not absorb.
7. Shaking or kinetics can be selected in the filters method definition window.
For shaking: Press F2. A new window will open, select time in seconds using the
number key pad. Select mode (slow, medium, fast and intensive) using the up and
down arrow keys to move the cursor and the right/left arrow to scroll through the
mode options. Press F4 to confirm choices or F3 to discard.

July 2010 MR400 Quick Start Guide Version 1.0
2
8. Next, define the plate layout. For controls, standards and samples, replicate direction can be
selected under F3, Options. F1 selects the type, F3 selects horizontal or vertical replicates and F4
positions control in the plate. Press place to select the well of choice. Continue until the plate
layout is completed. Use the backspace arrow to erase choices.
Table I. Key to Control and Standards used in Plate Layout
9. Move to the next screen to define the plate positions of the samples. Samples can be placed
either individually by moving the cursor to the desired location or all empty wells can be filled
with individual samples by selecting F2, Fill All.
10. Press enter to move to the next method definition box. If a kinetic measurement was selected in
a previous option, the kinetics definition options will be displayed (if not continue on).
11. Press enter to get to the next method definition: standards. Use this screen to enter the values of
the standards, the units for the concentration and to choose the curve-fit method. Press enter.
12. Choose the F1, Quick, for entering standards using a dilution or multiplication factor.
13. If measurements are to be analyzed, select method to be used. Options include:
Method
When to Use:
Factor
If a batch-specific calibration factor is used
Elimination
If individual controls must meet set criteria
Transformation
If a calculation is to be applied to the entire plate
Thresholds
If samples are assigned to groups based on minimal measurements or
transformation value
Code
Control Type
When to Use:
BK
Blank
The absorbance of the blank is automatically subtracted
from the absorbance of all other wells on the plate.
NC
Negative control
Use for qualitative/screening tests
PC
Positive control
Use for qualitative/screening tests
LP
Low positive
Use to define range of positive samples
HP
High positive
Use to define range of positive samples
CO
Control
Use as required
QC
Quality control
Use as required
ST
Standards
Use for quantitative determinations; a maximum of 16
standards can be used.

July 2010 MultiRead 400 Quick Start Guide Version 1.0
3
Validation
If controls must meet set criteria for a test is to be considered to be
valid.
14. Next, configure printout. Press enter to confirm choices.
15. Name and save method. Using replace (to replace existing method) or insert (to add to method
menu). Enter a name for the method using the alphanumeric function. Press enter to save
method.
16. To run the method, position cursor to the first position in the main menu. The plate transporter
will move out, allowing you to load the microplate. Enter a plate ID. Press the F3 key to select the
post run option, printer serial or none (if neither a printer nor a PC is connected). Results are
stored in the memory and can be recalled later, using the recall plate data option).