Summary |
Overview |
Operations |
Results |
Publications |
Imagery ISS Science for Everyone
Science Objectives for Everyone NanoRacks Plate Reader is a laboratory instrument designed to detect biological, chemical or physical events of samples in microtiter plates. Microplate readers are widely used in research, drug discovery, bioassay validation, quality control and manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry and academic organizations.
Science Results for Everyone Information Pending
The following content was provided by Carl W. Carruthers, Jr., Ph.D., and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.
Facility Details OpNom: Plate Reader
Facility Manager(s)
Carl Walter Carruthers, Ph.D., NanoRacks LLC, Webster, TX, United States
Facility Representative(s)
Information Pending
Developer(s)
Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology, Lowell, MA, United States
Sponsoring Space Agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Sponsoring Organization
National Laboratory (NL)
ISS Expedition Duration
September 2011 - March 2015; March 2016 - September 2016; September 2017 - March 2020
Expeditions Assigned
29/30,31/32,33/34,35/36,37/38,39/40,41/42,47/48,53/54,55/56,57/58,59/60,61/62,63/64,65/66
Previous Missions
NanoRacks Plate Reader-1 was previously on ISS from September 2011 to January 2015; up on HTV3 and returned on SpX-5.
Availability
Onboard ^ back to top
Facility Description Facility Overview
NanoRacks Plate Reader is a modified SpectraMax® M5e Multi-Mode Microplate Reader. The SpectraMax® M5e Multi-Mode Microplate Reader is the standard for UV/Visible multi-mode reader absorbance, providing ultrafast, full spectral range detection for 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, 384-well microplates while utilizing the SoftMax Pro 6 data acquisition and analysis software package. Researchers can also use a CuvettePlate Micro Plate Adapter for cuvette samples. NanoRacks Plate Reader possesses five modes, UV-Visible absorbance, fluorescence intensity, time-resolved fluorescence, and fluorescence polarization providing the benefit of multiple detection modes in one platform. The NanoRacks Plate Reader has an added thermal regulation capability making long-term incubation of samples possible, such as measuring microbial growth or monitoring gene expression.
For fluorescence intensity, time resolved fluorescence, and fluorescence polarization assays, the optical design provides the highest level of flexibility. Users can select from top or bottom read modes for improved sensitivity for solution and cell-based assays. Assays can be better optimized by scanning across a range of wavelengths in increments as small as 1 nm. Up to 4 wavelength pairs can be read in one protocol for endpoint and kinetic measurements.
NanoRacks Plate Reader-1 was delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) on HTV3 and returned on SpaceX-5. NanoRacks Plate Reader-2 was delivered via SpaceX-9 and is currently available for use on the ISS.
^ back to top
Operations Facility Operations
- Crew time is required for hardware installation, preparation of the test and science microplates, and stowage of the samples for return.
^ back to top
Decadal Survey Recommendations Information Pending
^ back to top
Results/More Information Information Pending
Results Publications ^ back to top
Ground Based Results Publications ^ back to top
ISS Patents ^ back to top
Related Publications ^ back to top
Related Websites ^ back to top
Imagery 
NASA Image: ISS048E044263 - The front panel of NanoRacks Plate Reader-2 after installation on the International Space Station.
+ View Larger Image 
Astronaut Kate Rubins inserting a microplate into NanoRacks Plate Reader-2. Image courtesy of NanoRacks.
+ View Larger Image 
NASA Image: ISS034E005601 - The front panel of NanoRacks Plate Reader-1 prior to installation on the International Space Station.
+ View Larger Image 
