Thermo Fisher NanoDrop Ultra Ultra-Micro Spectrophotometer and Fluorometer
| Brand | Thermo Fisher |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Domestic (China-manufactured) |
| Model | NanoDrop Ultra Ultra-Micro Spectrophotometer and Fluorometer |
| Pricing | Upon Request |
Overview
The Thermo Fisher NanoDrop Ultra Ultra-Micro Spectrophotometer and Fluorometer is an integrated benchtop analytical platform engineered for rapid, accurate quantification and quality assessment of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), proteins, and other UV-Vis-absorbing or fluorescent biomolecules. Leveraging microvolume spectrophotometry based on surface tension–dependent sample retention on a fixed-pathlength (1 mm equivalent) measurement pedestal, the system eliminates the need for cuvettes or dilutions across a broad dynamic range (0.2–550 Abs, equivalent to 0.2–18,000 ng/µL for dsDNA). Complementing absorbance measurements, the instrument integrates dual solid-state LED excitation sources (blue and red) with optimized emission detection optics to support quantitative fluorescence assays—including SYBR Green, PicoGreen, RiboGreen, and Qubit-compatible dyes—enabling orthogonal validation of nucleic acid integrity and concentration. Designed for high-throughput molecular biology workflows, the NanoDrop Ultra delivers reproducible, traceable results in under two minutes per sample, with real-time bubble detection and Acclaro Sample Intelligence technology embedded at the firmware level to identify spectral anomalies indicative of common contaminants (e.g., phenol, guanidine, EDTA, residual salts).
Key Features
- Acclaro Sample Intelligence Technology: Real-time spectral analysis identifies and quantifies common contaminants (e.g., phenol at 230 nm, protein at 280 nm, residual chaotropic agents) and applies algorithmic correction to raw absorbance data, improving downstream reliability.
- Integrated Dual-Mode Detection: Simultaneous absorbance (190–850 nm) and fluorescence (excitation: 470 nm & 625 nm; emission: 520–720 nm) on a single platform—no hardware switching or reconfiguration required.
- Microvolume Measurement Architecture: Fixed 1-mm pathlength enabled by capillary action; requires only 0.5–2 µL sample volume; no pipetting errors introduced by variable pathlengths.
- Real-Time Bubble Detection: Onboard optical imaging and sensor fusion detect air bubbles during measurement initiation, triggering immediate user alert before data acquisition begins.
- Embedded Digital Image Analysis: High-resolution CMOS imaging captures sample droplet morphology and meniscus geometry to validate measurement integrity and flag non-uniform spreading.
- 21 CFR Part 11–Compliant Operation: Optional SciVault™ 2 software provides electronic signatures, role-based access control, audit trails, and secure user account management—fully deployable on instrument, local PC, or centralized server.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The NanoDrop Ultra supports native and purified nucleic acid samples (genomic DNA, plasmid DNA, total RNA, mRNA), proteins (BSA, IgG), oligonucleotides, and dye-labeled conjugates. It complies with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for measurement uncertainty estimation and meets analytical validation criteria outlined in USP and CLSI EP25-A for spectrophotometric instrumentation. All firmware and software modules undergo periodic verification per GLP/GMP-aligned internal protocols. Instrument calibration is traceable to NIST-traceable standards, and optional factory-accredited Acclaro Pro calibration extends accuracy to ±5% across the full absorbance range (up to 550 Abs, equivalent to 400 mg/mL IgG).
Software & Data Management
The NanoDrop Ultra runs on Thermo Scientific™ NanoDrop™ Software v3.x, featuring intuitive touchscreen interface, customizable report templates, and built-in qPCR formulation calculator with editable reagent library. Data export supports CSV, PDF, XML, and proprietary .ndp formats. Cloud integration includes direct upload to Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Thermo Fisher Connect. RESTful API enables bidirectional LIMS synchronization for automated result ingestion and sample tracking. SciVault™ 2 adds multi-instrument audit log aggregation, hierarchical permission sets, and cryptographic timestamping of all critical events—including measurement start/stop, user login/logout, method changes, and data exports.
Applications
- Nucleic Acid Quantification & Purity Assessment: Rapid A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratio calculation with Acclaro-driven contaminant deconvolution for plant, bacterial, and mammalian extracts.
- Fluorescence-Based Assays: Quantitative detection of low-abundance RNA using RiboGreen; dsDNA with PicoGreen; ssDNA or RNA with OliGreen—each with instrument-optimized gain and integration time settings.
- qPCR Workflow Optimization: Automated reaction setup guidance based on measured sample concentration, buffer compatibility, and master mix specifications.
- Biopharmaceutical QC: Fast concentration verification of monoclonal antibodies (IgG) and recombinant proteins without dilution—critical for upstream process monitoring.
- Academic & Core Facility Use: Multi-user environment support via Windows domain integration, shared method libraries, and centralized compliance reporting.
FAQ
Does the NanoDrop Ultra require routine recalibration?
Yes—while factory-calibrated, Thermo Fisher recommends annual verification using supplied reference standards; optional Acclaro Pro bundle includes additional factory calibration for extended accuracy assurance.
Can the instrument measure samples with high viscosity or particulate content?
Samples must be clarified by centrifugation or filtration prior to analysis; viscous or turbid samples may disrupt droplet formation and compromise pathlength consistency.
Is LIMS integration supported out-of-the-box?
Yes—the NanoDrop Ultra includes native RESTful API endpoints documented in the Instrument Communication Protocol Guide; no third-party middleware is required for standard LIMS ingestion.
What fluorescence dyes are validated for use with the NanoDrop Ultra?
Thermo Fisher has verified performance for SYBR Green I, PicoGreen, RiboGreen, Qubit dsDNA HS/SS Assay Kits, and Cy3/Cy5-labeled probes under specified excitation/emission configurations.
How is data integrity ensured during cloud export?
All cloud uploads are encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest (AES-256); file metadata includes instrument ID, timestamp, operator ID, and checksums for tamper detection.
