Attachment 1 - Purchase Description_PlateReader.pdf

FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose: The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire a versatile plate reader capable of measuring UV/vis absorbance, fluorescence intensity (including FRET), luminescence (flash and glow, including BRET), fluorescence polarization/anisotropy, time-resolved fluorescence (including TR-FRET), and AlphaScreen®/AlphaLISA®/AlphaPlexTM. The plate reader must deliver reliable, fast measurements in a controlled CO2 and temperature environment. This will support studies on age-related circadian disruption and the molecular benefits of pro-longevity interventions at the NIA Intramural Research Program on the Johns Hopkins Bayview campus.

2. Background Information and Objective: Circadian clocks are endogenous timekeeping mechanisms that regulate 24-hour rhythms in behavior, metabolism, and immune function, anticipating daily environmental changes. With age, these rhythms decline, potentially contributing to the gradual deterioration of homeostasis and the development of diseases. Major goals of the CBAU include identifying molecular mechanisms behind age-related circadian clock disruptions, evaluating interventions to restore rhythmic networks in aging mammals, and investigating their systemic impact on the hallmarks of aging.

Incorporating advanced technology, such as the CLARIOstar Plus microplate reader, will broaden the scope of studies conducted at the NIA. This reader will enable the use of the Per2::Luc reporter, widely employed to assess circadian rhythms, in cell cultures for extended periods. These experiments will provide preliminary evidence on how cellular senescence affects circadian rhythms in an isolated environment and can be expanded to tissue explants. Additionally, we will test small molecules that promote circadian rhythms in aged or senescent cells.

Overall, incorporating this technology will position the NIA at the forefront of research on aging circadian clocks, their role in the onset of chronic diseases, and provide a platform for screening compounds that can delay age-related decline, ultimately promoting healthier longevity.

3. Generic Name of Product: Plate reader.

4. Purchase Description:

HARDWARE:

● CLARIOstar Plus Base Unit, includes fluorescence intensity detection (1 unit)

● Absorbance Spectrometer (1 unit)

● Luminescence (1 unit)

● Atmospheric Control Unit (1 unit)

● Bottom Reading (1 unit)

● Standard Incubation (1 unit)

● LVis Plate (1 unit)

FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs

OTHER

● Manufacturer's Warranty (1 unit)

● Control and Evaluation Software (1 unit)

● Installation and Training (1 unit)

5. Salient characteristics

● Fluorescence Intensity Detection: Fluorescence detection with both monochromator and filters. Monochromator bandpass adjustable from 8 to 100nm; < 0.15 pM (< 3 amol/well) FITC, 384sv, 20 μL; With EDR autoranging, counts per well up to 713,000,000rfu; Spectral range from 240- to 740nm. Fluorescent monochromators use direct-excitation optics with no light guides, utilizing a tunable dichroic mirror, adjustable in 0.1nm increments.

● Luminescence Detection: Total light and filtered luminescence including BRET with monochromator; < 0.4 pM (< 8 amol/well) ATP, 384sv, 20 μL); Dynamic range:

200,000,000 rlu per second with autoranging EDR; Monochromator bandpass up to 100 nm can be used for BRET; Flash events <0.1s in duration can be measured; Top and bottom reading.

● UV/Vis Absorbance Detection: Tunable UV/vis absorbance with spectrometer. Instant spectra collection from 220 to 1000 nm. Measurements in UV/Vis absorbance can use variable bandwidths from 1- to 10nm, i.e. users can choose to measure at 450 nm +/- 0.5 nm or +/- 5.0 nm.

● Tunable dichroic mirror: Patented adjustable dichroic mirror enables fiber-optic free detection.

● LVis plate for Low-Volume Nucleic Acid Detection: Typically used to detect up to 16 nucleic acid samples in 2uL volumes.

● Atmospheric Control Unit: Software controlled CO2 and O2 concentrations. Useful for cell culture at 5% CO2. Oxygen concentrations possible as low as 0.1%

● Capable of acquiring kinetic data at 100Hz, meaning every .01 seconds or 100 points per second.

6. Quantity: 0430-501 CLARIOstar Plus Base Unit, includes fluorescence intensity detection (1 unit);

1100-430-520 Absorbance Spectrometer (1 unit); 1100-430-530 Luminescence (1 unit); 1100- 430-600 Atmospheric Control Unit (1 unit); 1100-430-510 Bottom Reading (1 unit); 1300-530 Standard Incubation (1 unit); 1600-680-102 LVis Plate (1 unit); 1300-500 Manufacturer's Warranty (1 unit); 1300-501 Control and Evaluation Software (1 unit); 1300-502 Installation and Training (1 unit).

7. Delivery Date: All items delivered within 4-8 weeks after receipt of Purchase Order.