Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer - ToronMVS™ UV Series
ToronMVS™ UV-300 and UV-500 Microvolume Spectrophotometer for DNA, RNA and Protein
The ToronMVS™ UV microvolume UV-Vis spectrophotometer measures DNA, RNA, and protein concentration and purity from just 0.5 µL to 2 µL of sample. Molecular biology labs, sequencing cores, and QC teams use it to check nucleic acid quality before PCR, NGS, or cloning. Operators pipette the sample directly onto the pedestal, lower the arm, and read results in under 6 seconds. No cuvette, dilution, or lamp warm-up is needed. The sample can be wiped away or recovered after each reading.
Two models share the same 200 nm to 800 nm optical platform. The ToronMVS™ UV-300 measures dsDNA between 2 ng/µL and 4500 ng/µL in about 5 seconds. The ToronMVS™ UV-500 extends the range to 15,000 ng/µL with an added 0.05 mm path length and adds a fluorometer mode that detects dsDNA down to 0.5 pg/µL. Both models include a cuvette mode for OD600 bacterial density measurements. A 7-inch touchscreen runs the instrument without a computer.
A pulsed xenon flash lamp and 2048-element CCD array capture the full spectrum in a single flash. The motorized arm on the UV-F lifts the upper pedestal precisely, which keeps the liquid column from breaking during measurement. Results export to a USB flash drive, and a built-in printer produces reports at the bench. The compact footprint fits easily beside a thermal cycler or biosafety cabinet.
Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer - ToronMVS™ UV Series Applications
The ToronMVS™ UV serves any lab that needs fast quantification and purity checks on small, precious samples. Its fluorometer option on the UV-F covers low-concentration samples that fall below UV absorbance limits.
- Nucleic Acid QC Before PCR and qPCR: A260 quantification and 260/280 and 260/230 purity ratios confirm template quality before amplification
- NGS Library Preparation: concentration checks on input DNA and RNA, with fluorometric quantification of dilute libraries on the UV-F
- RNA Quality Control: RNA concentration and purity measurement before reverse transcription and RNA-seq
- Protein and Antibody Quantification: A280 measurement of purified proteins, antibodies, and peptides using known or custom extinction coefficients
- Microbiology and Cell Culture: OD600 readings in cuvette mode track bacterial growth and determine induction timing
- Fluorescent Dye and Reporter Assays: GFP, fluorescein, and labeled oligonucleotide detection with the UV-F fluorescence channels
- Plasmid and Cloning Workflows: fast checks on miniprep and PCR product yields before restriction digestion or ligation
- Teaching and Core Laboratories: shared-use instruments that require no warm-up and minimal training
Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer - ToronMVS™ UV Series Key Features
The ToronMVS™ UV combines microvolume UV-Vis absorbance, OD600 cuvette mode, and optional fluorescence in a standalone benchtop unit. Each feature targets faster readings, less sample use, and more reliable QC data.
- 0.5 µL to 2 µL Sample Volume: measures precious samples without dilution, with full sample recovery after reading
- Full 200 nm to 800 nm Spectrum: captures the complete UV-Vis profile, including A230, A260, and A280, in one flash
- Wide Concentration Range: 2 ng/µL to 4500 ng/µL dsDNA (UV-S) or up to 15,000 ng/µL (UV-F) without dilution
- Results in 5 to 6 Seconds: no lamp warm-up, so the instrument is ready to measure at startup
- Multiple Path Lengths: automatic path selection keeps concentrated samples within the linear range
- Motorized Lifting Arm (UV-F): precise pedestal motion prevents liquid column breakage and improves reading stability
- Built-In Fluorometer (UV-F): blue channel quantifies dsDNA, RNA, and protein down to 0.5 pg/µL dsDNA, with optional UV, green, or red channels
- OD600 Cuvette Mode: dedicated LED path measures bacterial and cell culture density across 0 to 4 A
- Xenon Flash Lamp and CCD Detector: long-life pulsed source and 2048-element array give 1 nm wavelength accuracy
- 7-Inch Touchscreen, No PC Required: Android-based software runs measurements and stores results on the instrument
- USB Export and Built-In Printer: transfer data to a computer by USB flash drive or print reports directly
- Automatic Blank and Lamp Shutoff: blanks and measures when the arm closes, and switches off the light source after idle periods
- Easy-Clean Pedestal: aluminum alloy and quartz fiber surfaces wipe clean between samples
Theory and Method
UV-Vis spectrophotometry measures how much light a sample absorbs at each wavelength. The Beer-Lambert law links absorbance (A) to concentration (c) through A = εcl, where ε is the extinction coefficient and l is the path length. Nucleic acid bases absorb strongly at 260 nm, so an A260 of 1.0 at a 10 mm path equals about 50 ng/µL of dsDNA. Proteins absorb at 280 nm. Ratios such as A260/A280 and A260/A230 reveal protein, phenol, or salt contamination in a nucleic acid sample.
Microvolume measurement replaces the cuvette with surface tension. The operator places a droplet on the lower pedestal, and the arm brings a second optical fiber down to touch it. The droplet stretches into a liquid column between the two fiber ends. The instrument then sets very short path lengths of 1.0 mm, 0.2 mm, or 0.05 mm, so concentrated samples stay within the linear absorbance range. The software normalizes every reading to a 10 mm equivalent, which removes the need for dilution.
Fluorometric quantification on the UV-F takes over below the UV absorbance limit. Fluorescent dyes such as dsDNA-selective intercalators emit strongly only when bound to their target molecule. An LED excites the dye at a set wavelength, and a photodiode measures the emitted light. Signal intensity scales with target concentration across five orders of magnitude, so the instrument quantifies dsDNA down to 0.5 pg/µL. The dye's selectivity also ignores free nucleotides and RNA that would inflate an A260 reading.
Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer - ToronMVS™ UV Series Technical Specifications
Microvolume Absorbance Mode
| Parameter | ToronMVS™ UV-300 | ToronMVS™ UV-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength Range | 200 nm to 800 nm | 200 nm to 800 nm |
| Sample Volume | 0.5 µL to 2.0 µL | 0.5 µL to 2.0 µL |
| Path Length | 0.2 mm, 1.0 mm | 0.05 mm, 0.2 mm, 1.0 mm |
| Light Source | Xenon flash lamp | Xenon flash lamp |
| Detector | 2048-element linear CCD array | 2048-element linear CCD array |
| Wavelength Accuracy | 1 nm | 1 nm |
| Spectral Resolution | ≤ 3 nm | ≤ 3 nm |
| Absorbance Precision | 0.003 Abs | 0.003 Abs |
| Absorbance Accuracy | 1% (7.332 Abs at 260 nm) | 1% (7.332 Abs at 260 nm) |
| Absorbance Range | 0.04 A to 90 A | 0.04 A to 300 A |
| Nucleic Acid Detection Range | 2 ng/µL to 4500 ng/µL (dsDNA) | 2 ng/µL to 15,000 ng/µL (dsDNA) |
| A280 Protein Range (BSA) | 0.1 mg/mL to 135 mg/mL | 0.1 mg/mL to 450 mg/mL |
| Measurement Time | < 5 s | < 6 s |
| Pedestal Lifting | Manual arm | Motorized lifting structure |
Cuvette Mode (OD600)
| Parameter | ToronMVS™ UV-300 | ToronMVS™ UV-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Light Source | LED | LED |
| Wavelength | 600 nm ± 8 nm | 600 nm ± 8 nm |
| Absorbance Range | 0 A to 4 A | 0 A to 4 A |
Fluorometer Mode (ToronMVS™ UV-500 Only)
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Light Source | LED |
| Detector | Photodiode |
| Dynamic Range | 5 orders of magnitude |
| Linearity | R² ≥ 0.995 |
| Repeatability | ≤ 1.5% |
| Stability | ≤ 1.5% |
| Sensitivity | 0.5 pg/µL (dsDNA) |
| Measurement Speed | 3 s per reading |
Fluorescence Channels (ToronMVS™ UV-500)
| Channel | Excitation | Emission | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue (standard) | 460 nm ± 20 nm | 525 nm to 570 nm | dsDNA, ssDNA, protein quantification, GFP, fluorescein |
| UV (optional) | 365 nm ± 20 nm | 420 nm to 480 nm | Nucleic acid quantification, GUS reporter assays, apoptosis assays |
| Green (optional) | 525 nm ± 20 nm | 575 nm to 640 nm | Rhodamine, Cy3-labeled probes, RFP, cytotoxicity assays |
| Red (optional) | 625 nm ± 20 nm | 670 nm to 725 nm | Cy5-labeled probes, RNA quantification |
General Specifications
| Parameter | ToronMVS™ UV-300 | ToronMVS™ UV-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 7-inch capacitive touchscreen | 7-inch capacitive touchscreen |
| Software | Android-based | Android-based |
| Data Export | USB flash drive | USB flash drive |
| Printer | Built-in | Built-in |
| Pedestal Material | Aluminum alloy and quartz fiber | Aluminum alloy and quartz fiber |
| Operating Voltage | DC 24 V, 2 A | DC 24 V, 2 A |
| Operating Power | 25 W | 25 W |
| Standby Power | 5 W | 5 W |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 210 × 265 × 181 mm | 208 × 320 × 186 mm |
| Weight | 2.8 kg | 3.6 kg |
Accessories
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| OD600 Cuvette | Cuvette for bacterial and cell culture density measurement |
| Optional Fluorescence Channel | UV, green, or red channel configuration for the ToronMVS™ UV-500 |