The MR9600-T is the incubation-equipped variant of the Accuris SmartReader 96 Microplate Absorbance Reader, combining the standard 96-well absorbance measurement with built-in plate incubation for temperature-controlled workflows. The incubation module enables kinetic assays (where absorbance is measured over time at a controlled temperature), enzyme-kinetics workflows (rate measurement at biological temperature, typically 37 °C), and cell-based microplate assays (where adherent or suspension cells must be maintained at culture temperature during the read). The MR9600-T is the right pick for workflows that need temperature control during the read; the base MR9600 (without incubation) is sufficient for endpoint-only ELISA / immunoassay workflows.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
For complete instrument specifications and wavelength filter family context, see the MR9600 parent page (base chassis without incubation).
| SKU | MR9600-T |
| Voltage | 115 V |
| Plate format | 96-well |
| Wavelength filter family | 28+ filters spanning 340 nm UV to 750 nm near-IR (same family as base chassis) |
| Incubation module | Built-in temperature-controlled plate incubation (operator-set temperature; supports 37 °C biological temperature and other temperature ranges per workflow) |
| List price | $7,751 |
Why Incubation Matters: Kinetic Assays vs Endpoint Assays
| Assay type | Workflow | Read pattern | Incubation requirement |
| Endpoint ELISA / immunoassay | Apply samples → wash → develop → read once at signal-development time | Single absorbance read at endpoint | None (base MR9600 is sufficient) |
| Kinetic enzyme assay | Add substrate → measure absorbance change over time | Multiple absorbance reads at fixed time intervals | Required. Temperature drift would distort the rate calculation |
| Cell-based microplate assay | Maintain cells in plate while reading absorbance over time | Single or multiple reads with cells alive in the plate | Required. Cells must be at culture temperature |
| Receptor-binding kinetic | Add ligand → measure binding-rate absorbance change | Multiple reads at fixed intervals | Required. Kinetic-rate measurements are temperature-dependent |
Pick the MR9600-T (with incubation) when:
- The workflow includes kinetic enzyme-rate measurements (e.g., enzyme-substrate Vmax / Km determination)
- Cell-based microplate assays require live-cell maintenance at culture temperature during the read
- Time-course absorbance workflows where temperature drift would introduce read-to-read variance
- Published protocols specifying incubation temperature during the read step
Pick the base MR9600 (no incubation) when:
- Endpoint-only ELISA / immunoassay workflows
- Standard absorbance quantification (BCA, Bradford, MTT, OD600) at room temperature
- Protein quantification workflows that do not require temperature control
MR9600-T vs MR9600: Pricing Differential
| Variant | List price | Differential |
| MR9600 (base, no incubation) | (see MR9600 page for parent pricing) | N/A |
| MR9600-T (this product, with incubation) | $7,751 | Incubation-module premium |
The MR9600-T premium reflects the incubation hardware; for endpoint-only workflows, the differential is unnecessary capital spend. For kinetic / cell-based / time-course workflows, the incubation capability is workflow-mandatory and the premium is justified.
Application Profile
Enzyme-kinetics workflows. Vmax / Km determination, enzyme-substrate kinetic-rate measurements, enzyme-inhibitor IC₅₀ determinations.
Cell-based microplate assays. Viability assays (MTT, MTS, XTT) that require live-cell maintenance during the read; cell-proliferation assays; cytotoxicity assays.
Receptor-binding kinetic assays. Binding-rate measurements for receptor-ligand interaction studies.
Time-course endpoint workflows. Workflows where a single absorbance read is taken at a precise temperature-controlled endpoint (vs reading immediately at ambient).
Bacterial-growth kinetic assays. OD600 measurements over time for bacterial-growth-curve studies.
Multi-investigator core facility setup. Shared MR9600-T equipment in core facilities supports both endpoint and kinetic workflows on the same chassis (vs maintaining separate base + incubated readers).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the "-T" add to the MR9600? Built-in temperature-controlled plate incubation, for reads that must be held at a set temperature.
When is the incubation capability needed? For kinetic enzyme assays, cell-based microplate assays, and time-course reads. Endpoint-only ELISA / immunoassay workflows do not require it and can use the base MR9600.
What plate format does it use? 96-well.
What wavelengths are supported? The same 28+ filter family as the base chassis, spanning 340 nm UV to 750 nm near-IR.
How does it differ from the base MR9600? The base MR9600 has no incubation module and suits endpoint-only workflows; the MR9600-T adds incubation for kinetic / cell-based / time-course workflows.
Ordering & Configuration
Workflow-fit decision at quote. Confirm the lab actually needs the incubation capability, endpoint-only ELISA workflows do not benefit from the MR9600-T premium. Step to the base MR9600 if the workflow is endpoint-only.
Wavelength filter inventory. Confirm which workflow wavelengths the lab needs. The MR9600-T uses the same wavelength filter family as the base MR9600 (28+ filters). The chassis ships with one or more filters; additional filters are sold separately (e.g., MR9600-450 for TMB ELISA, MR9600-562 for BCA, MR9600-595 for Bradford, MR9600-600 for OD600, MR9600-663 for chlorophyll, etc.).
Confirm at quote: voltage and plug type (this 115 V SKU vs the 230 V variant), workflow incubation requirements (drives MR9600-T-vs-MR9600 decision), wavelength filter inventory, MW9600 washer pairing, training requirements, and lead time.
Warranty: Per Accuris standard warranty terms. Confirm at quote.
Accuris MR9600 SmartReader 96 chassis tier comparison:
- MR9600: Base chassis, no incubation (endpoint-only ELISA / immunoassay)
- Base chassis, no incubation, 230 V (by special order)
- MR9600-T (this product): Chassis with incubation, 115 V ($7,751)
- Chassis with incubation, 230 V (by special order, $7,751)
Pick the incubation variant for kinetic / cell-based / time-course workflows; pick the base chassis for endpoint-only workflows.
