UV/VISIBLE

Spectrophotometry
RANGE BROCHURE

18-1145-48AA
 SPECTROPHOTOMETER S E L E C T I O N G U I D E

UV/Visible spectrophotometry is an essential laboratory

technique that has found a niche in life science research and
development, particularly for nucleic acid, primer and protein
quantitation. Amersham Pharmacia Biotech has been a supplier
of UV/Visible spectrophotometers for almost 20 years, which
means that whether you are performing simple colorimetric
assays or conducting the most stringent research, there is an
instrument from our range to meet your needs.

ULTROSPEC pro UV/VISIBLE SPECTROPHOTOMETERS:

A family of instruments whose functionality, specification and
capability increase with the model number; from Ultrospec™ 1100 pro,
intended for use in teaching laboratories, to Ultrospec 3300 pro
P RO D U C T PAG E
and Ultrospec 4300 pro: Pharmacopoeia compliant instruments
with high-resolution graphics and PC only control, respectively.
Ultrospec 3300 pro 3
GENEQUANT ™ pro RNA/DNA C ALCULATOR:
Ultrospec 4300 pro 3 A ‘mini’ spectrophotometer that is dedicated to the needs of the molecular
biologist, with user-friendly software and a survey scan for nucleic acids.

Ultrospec 3100 pro 4

NOVASPEC ™ II VISIBLE SPECTROPHOTOMETER:
A low cost instrument that is ideal for education and clinical/industrial
Ultrospec 2100 pro 5 quality control applications.

GeneQuant pro 6
The major applications for UV/visible spectrophotometers in the modern
bioscience laboratory are indicated in the table with the product
recommended to fulfil your needs. To select the most appropriate
GeneQuant 6
instrument, consider which of the listed applications are most important
to you.The other major application areas of the pharmaceutical industry;
Ultrospec 1100 pro 7 quality control (in all situations) and the teaching laboratory are also
indicated. Details about individual products are described within the
brochure and relevant technical specification parameters are summarized
Novaspec II 7 on the back page.

P R O D U C T R E C O M M E N DAT I O N G U I D E LIFT
 SPECTROPHOTOMETER

Ultrospec Ultrospec Ultrospec Ultrospec GeneQuant GeneQuant Ultrospec Novaspec

APPLIC ATION AREA 3300 pro 4300 pro 3100 pro 2100 pro pro 1100 pro II

BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH LABORATORY

Nucleic acid purification

–
DNA/RNA quantitation

PCR/sequencing/hybridization
– –
Primer quantitation and design

Protein determination
–
Bradford, Biuret, BCA etc

Enzyme activity
– –
Kinetics at 340nm

Cell culture
–
OD 600

Fluorescent probe quantitation

cDNA probes for microarrays PCR – – –
probes for in-situ hybridization

OT H E R

Pharmaceutical method development

– – – – – –
and industrial laboratories

Quality Control
– – – –
laboratory

Teaching
– – – – – –
laboratory

= Highly recommended = Recommended = Suitable – = Not suitable

ULTROSPEC 3300 pro AND ULTROSPEC 4300 pro

• Meet the demanding requirements of the Pharmacopoeia in

terms of instrument specification and GLP self diagnostics,
with the benefits of being able to be used for rapid, discrete
apple classic plum yellow
measurements
• Bandwidth of < 1.8nm and excellent scanning capability,
up to 6200nm/min at 1nm data steps
Please note the colors shown above are a guide only
and may differ slightly from the actual product.
• Press to read, high-performance deuterium and tungsten lamps
for reduced cost of ownership
• Available in a choice of colors

ULTROSPEC 3300 pro

F E AT U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S
● Graphical user interface with built in applications software for
wavelength scanning, enzyme kinetics, standard curve, substrate
concentration and multi-wavelength equation entry

● New built-in cDNA application software for measuring incorporation

of Cy™3, Cy5 and fluorescein into purified microarray hybridization
probes and PCR products

● Up to 50 stored methods

● Direct download of results to Excel for archiving using supplied

spreadsheet interface software
● Provides display and print-out information in English, German,
French, Italian, Spanish or Russian
British Pharmacopoeia (BP) resolution test
A88 Appendix II B.The BP test states that
in order to verify the resolution of the
instrument, the spectrum of a 0.02 % (v/v)
solution of toluene in hexane should be
recorded.The ratio of the absorbance at
the maximum (269nm) and minimum
(266nm) should be at least 1.5. The
results give a ratio of 1.722, proving that
Ultrospec 4300 pro passes the BP test;
Ultrospec 3300 pro is also BP compliant.

ULTROSPEC 4300 pro

F E AT U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S
● PC driven, supplied with SWIFT II – METHOD
(Windows™ 95 format software)

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 ULTROSPEC 3100 pro

F E AT U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S
● Displays graphics via an intuitive and easy to use interface on
a high-resolution liquid crystal screen

● Xenon lamp for longer lifetime and lower running costs

● Includes built in applications software for wavelength scanning,

enzyme kinetics, standard curve, substrate concentration and
multi-wavelength equation entry

● New built-in cDNA application software for measuring

incorporation of Cy3, Cy5 and fluorescein into purified microarray
hybridization probes and PCR products

● Outputs results to PC directly for storage, manipulation and

archiving in a spreadsheet package

● Accommodates 50 user-stored methods, making it ideal for the busy

multi-user or QC laboratory

● Calibrates with GLP self-test diagnostics and can print out the results

● Provides display and print-out information in English, German,

Ultrospec 3100 pro screen showing a scan of cDNA French, Italian, Spanish or Russian
labelled with Cy3 and display of calculated yield, dye
incorporation and labelling efficiency values: all the
information required for probe quality control and ● Available in a choice of colors
optimal use in microarray hybridizations.

Ultrospec 3100 pro is the ideal UV/Visible spectrophotometer for the

demanding laboratory. Its many features include stored protocols for
protein determination (Bradford, Biuret, Lowry and BCA) and nucleic
acid quantification/characterization (DNA, RNA, oligonucleotide,
theoretical Tm calculation).

An 8 position sample changer is supplied as standard.The instrument

can be used in conjunction with SWIFT II Software and will print
out to a range of Centronics parallel printers and export results
to a PC. With its extensive range of built-in software, self-test
diagnostics and wide range of accessories (including a sipper option),
Ultrospec 3100 pro is the perfect choice for any busy laboratory.

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ULTROSPEC 2100 pro

F E AT U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S
● Xenon lamp for longer lifetime and lower running costs

● Combines basic measurement modes with graphical modes:

wavelength scan, absorbance changes with time, reaction
rate determinations and standard curves can be displayed
and printed out

● Provides stored routines for DNA, RNA, oligonucleotide

quantitation and purity check

● Up to 18 user-defined methods can be saved

● Can be upgraded with SWIFT II Applications Software to form

a more powerful system

● Robust, compact and reliable for general laboratory measurements

● Includes serial and parallel outputs as standard (outputs to a range

of printers)

● Available in a choice of colors Ultrospec 2100 pro screen showing sample scan.

Ultrospec 2100 pro is a simple-to-use instrument with advanced

performance. In addition to measuring absorbance and concentration,
it provides stored routines for nucleic acid quantification and also
a standard curve routine for protein determination. User defined
equations can be entered using multi-wavelength mode and up
to 18 methods can be saved.The instrument can be upgraded
for more sophisticated applications, as well as data storage, with
SWIFT II Software and a PC.

With its large sample compartment and wide range of accessories,

Ultrospec 2100 pro is a versatile and reliable instrument for use
in any laboratory.

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 GENEQUANT pro

F E AT U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S
● Survey scanning of nucleic acid and primer samples
● Large, easy to read display shows all relevant results at once
● Detects down to 20ng of DNA (using ultra microvolume cell with
7µl of undiluted sample), displaying A260 /280 and A260 / 230 ratios
for nucleic acid purity checks
● Protein determination at 546, 562 and 595nm, with up to 27
standards (including repeats) to construct the standard curve
● Bacterial cell culture measurement at OD600
● Calculates oligonucleotide conversion factor (µg/ml), molecular
Spectral scan weight and theoretical Tm (for PCR annealing temperature)
of a nucleic
● Three year lamp warranty
acid sample.
● Print-out of GLP tests when calibration check filter kit is used
● Direct download to Excel for data archiving and manipulation
● Available in a choice of colors

Display of all relevant

results for nucleic acid
quantification.

GENEQUANT

F E AT U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S
● A ‘mini’ spectrophotometer dedicated to the needs of the
Molecular Biologist who works only with nucleic acids
● Ease of use and instant results at the laboratory bench for
nucleic acids (DNA, RNA and oligonucleotides)
● Display of A260 /280 ratio
● Detects down to 20ng of DNA (using ultra microvolume cell
with 7µl of undiluted sample)
● Three year lamp warranty

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ULTROSPEC 1100 pro

F E AT U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S
● Basic measurement modes coupled with standard curve,
reaction rate, multi-wavelength equation definition

● Nucleic acid quantitation mode, with all relevant data displayed

● Up to nine user-defined methods can be saved

● Customization of user interface to suit laboratory needs

● Use with SWIFT 1000 disk-based software Screen showing nucleic

acid concentration and
● Direct download to Excel for data archiving and manipulation purity ratios.

● Robust, compact, reliable and very easy to use

● Test tube holder available

● Keeps maintenance costs low with easy lamp change and UV lamp
saver mode
Standard curve
● Available in a choice of colors display.

NOVASPEC II
F E AT U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S
● Easy to use, having only eight keys on a spill proof
membrane keypad
● Robust, compact, reliable and versatile suiting many
general applications
● Range of user-selectable functions including: purity check,
time dependent analysis, scan to chart recorder
● Versatile cell holder accommodates both standard 10mm
cells and 12mm test tubes (can also accommodate 24mm
test tubes)
● Test tube holder available
● Use with NovaSWIFT disk-based software
● Includes serial and chart recorder interfaces as standard

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O R D E R I N G I N F O R M AT I O N
Instrument Color Catalog number Lamp technology Wavelength range (nm) Absorbance range (A) Bandwidth (nm)

Classic 80-2112-33
Deuterium/
Ultrospec Yellow 80-2112-34 190 – 1100
tungsten. -3.000 to +3.000 < 1.8
3300 pro Plum 80-2112-35 (in 0.1nm steps)
Press to read
Apple 80-2112-36
Classic 80-2112-43
Deuterium/
Ultrospec Yellow 80-2112-44 190 – 1100
tungsten. -3.000 to +3.000 < 1.8
4300 pro Plum 80-2112-45 (in 0.1nm steps)
Press to read
Apple 80-2112-46
Classic 80-2112-31
Ultrospec Yellow 80-2112-32 Xenon
190 – 900 -3.000 to +3.000 <3
3100 pro Plum 80-2112-37 Press to read
Apple 80-2112-38
Classic 80-2112-21
Ultrospec Yellow 80-2112-22 Xenon
190 – 900 -3.000 to +3.000 <3
2100 pro Plum 80-2112-27 Press to read
Apple 80-2112-28
Classic 80-2114-98 220 – 330nm scan,
Pulsed 0 to +3.000
GeneQuant Yellow 80-2114-99 230, 260, 280, 320,
borosilicate glass. (0 to +2.000 for 5
pro Plum 80-2115-04 546, 562, 595, 600nm
595 and 600nm)
Apple 80-2115-05 Press to read discrete
Pulsed borosilicate 230, 260, 280,
GeneQuant Classic 80-2111-98 0 to + 3.000 5
glass. Press to read 320 nm discrete
Classic 80-2112-00
Ultrospec Yellow 80-2112-01 Deuterium/
200 – 900 -3.000 to +3.000 5
1100 pro Plum 80-2112-02 tungsten
Apple 80-2112-03

Novaspec II Classic 80-2088-64 Tungsten 325 – 900 -3.000 to +3.000 <6

All products have safety certifications (CE 89/336/EEC (EMC directive); CE 73/23/EEC (LV directive); EN-61010-1 (IEC1010-1). As part of our policy
of continuous instrument development, we reserve the right to alter specifications without notice.

Contact your local Amersham Pharmacia Biotech office:

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For more information about spectrophotometers, visits us at:

www.amershambiosciences.com/spectros
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