Thermo Releases Varioskan Flash Spectral Scanning Multimode Microplate Reader

Optimal performance to speed up your assay development

MILFORD, MA (August 9, 2006) — Thermo Electron Corporation, the world leader in analytical instruments, today introduced Varioskan® Flash, the latest addition to its extensive microplate reader range. Varioskan Flash is a spectral scanning multimode reader with fluorescence intensity, time-resolved fluorescence (TRF), photometric, and luminometric detection technologies. It provides optimal performance to speed up your assay development with unlimited wavelength selection, up to three onboard dispensers, utmost optical performance and the advanced SkanIt® Software. Varioskan Flash has been designed for automated systems, offering easy integration and the capability to read up to 1536-well plates.

The high-quality performance of Varioskan Flash is achieved with optimized optics. In luminometry for example, Varioskan Flash has two optical detection systems. Dedicated luminometric optics have been specially designed for the sensitive measurement of any assay, including multi-label assays requiring wavelength selection, whereas the monochromator optics enable rapid assay optimization with the capacity to study luminometric spectra.

Varioskan Flash can be fitted with up to three on-board dispensers to facilitate work and allow easier optimization. For rapid assays, such as flash luminometry and Ca2+ flux, the instrument supports simultaneous dispensing and reading, enabling monitoring of fast kinetic measurements from the very start of the reaction. Moreover, the ability to add reagents in any order or in any phase of a kinetic assay, allows execution of sequential multi-step assays. Temperature sensitive assays benefit from the on-board incubator, which not only maintains the exact temperature for the reaction, but also prevents the build up of condensation on microplate lids, ensuring optical clarity.

Varioskan Flash is controlled by SkanIt Software allowing easy assay setup, effortless data reduction and comprehensive report formatting. It also offers features needed for compliance with the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11. This advanced software coupled with the flexibility of Varioskan Flash, provides pharmaceutical and biotech researchers with optimal performance for speeding up their assay development both now and in the future.

For further information about Varioskan Flash go to www.thermo.com/readingroom

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About Thermo Electron Corporation

Thermo Electron Corporation is the world leader in analytical instruments. Our instrument solutions enable our customers to make the world a healthier, cleaner and safer place. Thermo's Life and Laboratory Sciences segment provides analytical instruments, scientific equipment, services and software solutions for life science, drug discovery, clinical, environmental and industrial laboratories. Thermo's Measurement and Control segment is dedicated to providing analytical instruments used in a variety of manufacturing processes and in-the-field applications, including those associated with safety and homeland security. For more information, visit http://www.thermo.com

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Media Contact Information

Neil Ravenhill                                            Alison Hebbes

Alto Marketing Ltd                                   Thermo Electron Corporation

Phone: +44 (0)1489 557672                    Phone: +44 (0) 1256 347614

E-mail: neilr@alto-marketing.com             E-mail: alison.hebbes@thermo.com