Bioluminescence Reader
Bioluminescence Reader - Related Videos
07:51
Introduction to the Microplate Reader
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2023
The microplate reader is a multimodal instrument that allows for a variety of experiments to be performed and measured simultaneously. Microplate readers can make absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence measurements. Multiwell plates are integral to the microplate reader and allow for many experiments to be performed at once. Regardless of the assay type, experiments on the plate reader utilize a standard curve to determine the experimental values. This curve uses samples of known...
08:32
The ATP Bioluminescence Assay
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2023
In fireflies, the luciferase enzyme converts a compound called luciferin into oxyluciferin, and produces light or “luminescence” as a result. This reaction requires energy derived from ATP in order to proceed, so researchers have exploited the luciferase-luciferin interaction to gauge ATP levels in cells. Given ATP’s role as the cell’s currency of energy, the ATP bioluminescence assay can provide insight into cellular metabolism and overall cell health.In this video, JoVE discusses cellular...
02:37
In Vivo Assay to Correlate Bacterial Bioluminescence with Cell Density
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2025
Source: Brodl, E., et al. In Situ Measurement and Correlation of Cell Density and Light Emission of Bioluminescent Bacteria. J. Vis. Exp. (2018).This video demonstrates the measurement and correlation of bioluminescence with cell density in transformed bacteria. A single bacterial colony is used to initiate a liquid culture. The culture is placed in a well at the desired cell concentration. An antibiotic and inducer are added to express the gene required for bacterial bioluminescence. Readings...
03:01
Precise and High-Throughput Analysis of Bacterial Growth Using a Microplate Reader
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2025
Source: Kurokawa, M., et al. Precise, High-throughput Analysis of Bacterial Growth. J. Vis. Exp. (2017)This video demonstrates the high-throughput quantification of bacterial growth using a microplate reader. It outlines the steps involved in culture preparation, optical density measurement, and analysis of growth dynamics.
09:17
Bioluminescence Imaging of an Immunocompetent Animal Model for Glioblastoma
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Cited by 13 •
2016
GL261 glioma cells provide a useful immunocompetent animal model of glioblastoma. The goals of this protocol are to demonstrate proper techniques for monitoring intracranial tumor growth using in vivo bioluminescence imaging, and to verify the utility of luciferase-modified GL261 cells for studying tumor immunology and immunotherapeutic approaches for treating glioblastoma.
FAQs
It measures photons generated by the luciferase reaction without requiring external illumination. This avoids much of the background associated with an illuminated measurement, allowing relatively weak biological signals to be detected. In bioengineering experiments, the resulting contrast helps researchers connect emitted light more directly with reporter-gene expression, cell number, or enzyme activity.
Luciferase provides the enzyme activity, while luciferin serves as an example of the substrate involved in the light-producing reaction. The reader detects the photons released during that reaction and converts them into quantitative readings. Consequently, changes in the measured signal can indicate altered enzyme activity or changes in an engineered system that controls reporter expression.
A broad dynamic range allows the reader to quantify signals across a wide span of biological activity rather than restricting analysis to a narrow intensity interval. This is useful when engineered cells or gene circuits produce different expression levels. The resulting measurements can support comparisons among samples while preserving information about both weaker and stronger responses.
Signal intensity provides a measurable output from a molecular reaction, making it possible to relate internal biological activity to the behavior of an engineered system. For example, reporter-gene expression can be translated into a light-based readout. Bioengineers can therefore monitor whether a designed gene circuit produces the intended functional response under the tested conditions.
Measurements can indicate reporter-gene expression, cell number, or enzyme activity, depending on what the biological assay is designed to represent. The same light-based readout can therefore support different interpretations across experiments. Researchers must relate the measured intensity to the selected biological indicator when assessing cellular responses or evaluating engineered cellular functions.
An engineered gene circuit can use a luciferase-based reporter to produce a measurable light output when the circuit is active. The reader records that output, allowing researchers to monitor circuit behavior quantitatively. This application helps connect the operation of designed genetic components with an observable signal and supports assessment of whether the circuit responds as intended.
Their ability to convert light emission into quantitative readings supports repeated analysis of many assay conditions, making them suitable for high-throughput formats. Low background signal helps preserve measurement sensitivity across samples, while the broad dynamic range accommodates differing signal intensities. Researchers can apply this approach when screening cellular responses, biomolecular interactions, or engineered biological functions.