Agilent Liquid Handling Instruments: A Complete Guide to Readers, Washers & Automation 

Modern life science laboratories are under constant pressure to generate reliable data faster, improve reproducibility, and streamline increasingly complex workflows. From ELISA automation and nucleic acid quantification to high-throughput screening and live-cell analysis, selecting the right liquid handling and detection platform can significantly improve laboratory efficiency. 

Agilent’s liquid handling and microplate instrumentation portfolio combines flexible automation, multimode detection, plate washing, dispensing, and workflow integration technologies designed to support research laboratories ranging from routine assay environments through to advanced high-throughput screening facilities. 

Agilent offers a broad range of workflow solutions that help laboratories: 

• Reduce manual pipetting and repetitive handling  

• Improve assay consistency and reproducibility  

• Scale from low-throughput to automated high-throughput workflows  

• Support applications including ELISA, cell-based assays, nucleic acid quantification, microbial kinetics, phenotypic screening, and organoid workflows  

• Integrate automation across washing, dispensing, detection, and plate handling  

Agilent absorbance readers support routine laboratory workflows including ELISAs, protein assays, microbial growth studies, and nucleic acid quantification.  

Agilent 800 TS Microplate Reader 

The 800 TS is designed for straightforward absorbance workflows and cost-conscious laboratories requiring reliable performance for routine assays. 

Key features 

• Reads wavelengths from 400-750 nm  

• Supports 6- to 384-well plates  

• Touchscreen interface with USB export  

• Optional temperature control and shaking  

• Gen5 software integration  

Best-fit applications: ELISAs, Protein assays, Enzyme kinetics, Basic cell-based assays  

Agilent Epoch Microplate Spectrophotometer 

The Epoch combines monochromator-based UV-Vis detection with flexible wavelength selection for nucleic acid and protein quantification workflows.  

Key features 

• UV-Vis range from 200-999 nm  

• Compatible with Take3 micro-volume plates  

• Temperature control to 65 °C  

• Supports 6- to 384-well plates  

Best-fit applications: DNA and RNA quantification, 260/280 and 260/230 purity measurements, Cytotoxicity assays, Cell proliferation studies, Enzyme kinetics  

Agilent Epoch 2 Microplate Spectrophotometer 

The Epoch 2 expands absorbance capabilities with stand-alone touchscreen operation and full-spectrum scanning functionality.  

Ideal for: Spectral scanning, Microbial growth kinetics, Nucleic acid purity analysis, Stand-alone absorbance workflows  

Reliable washing is critical for reducing background noise and improving assay consistency in ELISA and cell-based workflows. 

Agilent 50 TS Washer 

The 50 TS provides dependable automated washing for routine assays and pairs naturally with absorbance readers like the 800 TS.  

Applications: ELISA washing, Cell-based assays, Vacuum filtration workflows 

Agilent 405 LS and 405 TS Washers 

These automated plate washers support more advanced workflows with dual-action manifold technology and automation compatibility.  

Key features 

• Automated washing for 96- and 384-well plates  

• Biomagnetic separation support  

• Vacuum filtration modules  

• Four-buffer switching  

• BioStack automation compatibility  

Best-fit workflows: ELISA, Microsphere-based assays, Automated cell-based assays  

Combining washing and dispensing into a single platform can simplify workflows and reduce instrument footprint. 

Agilent 406 FX Washer Dispenser 

The 406 FX integrates washing and dispensing capabilities for automated multi-step assay workflows.  

Highlights 

• Washing plus up to six reagent dispensers  

• Supports biomagnetic protocols  

• Compatible with 96- to 1536-well plates  

• Robotic integration support  

Common applications: ELISA automation, Cell culture workflows, Bead-based assays  

Agilent EL406 Washer Dispenser 

The EL406 combines rapid washing and dispensing into a compact automation-ready platform.  

Ideal for: High-throughput ELISA workflows, Multiplex assays, Integrated wash and dispense automation  

Agilent MultiFlo FX Multi-Mode Dispenser 

The MultiFlo FX is designed for flexible reagent dispensing across a wide range of assay formats.  

Key capabilities 

• Dispensing to 6- to 1536-well plates  

• Up to four reagents in parallel  

• Gentle media exchange options for delicate cultures  

Applications: 2D and 3D cell culture, Spheroid and organoid workflows, ELISA preparation, Bead-based assays  

Agilent multimode readers combine absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence detection technologies to support a broad range of assay requirements. 

Agilent Synergy Neo2 

The Synergy Neo2 is designed for demanding high-throughput and multiplex workflows.  

Features 

• Hybrid detection with filter and monochromator optics  

• Laser TRF capability  

• Up to four PMTs  

• Environmental control with CO₂/O₂ regulation  

Applications: High-throughput screening, Multiplex assays, Advanced multimode workflows 

Agilent Synergy HTX 

The Synergy HTX provides economical multimode detection for routine assay environments.  

Detection modes: Absorbance, Fluorescence, Luminescence, Alpha assays  

Agilent Synergy LX 

The Synergy LX is designed for straightforward multimode detection with an intuitive touchscreen interface.  

Ideal applications: Nucleic acid quantification, ELISA, BCA and Bradford assays, Cell viability workflows  

Agilent Synergy H1 

The modular Synergy H1 platform enables laboratories to scale capabilities as assay requirements evolve.  

Supports: Absorbance, Fluorescence, Luminescence, AlphaScreen, TRF workflows  

Agilent Cytation 9 

The Cytation 9 combines automated imaging with multimode detection in a single platform.  

Key capabilities 

• Imaging up to 60× magnification  

• Fluorescence, luminescence, and UV-Vis detection  

• Live-cell environmental control to 65 °C

• BioStack automation compatibility  

Common applications: Live-cell imaging, Phenotypic screening, Quantitative cell analysis

Agilent BioStack 

The BioStack automates plate loading and unloading for walk-away workflow automation.  

Benefits 

• Fast plate exchange  

• Delidding and re-lidding support  

• Compatible with 6- to 1536-well plates  

• Enables unattended high-throughput processing  

Agilent’s liquid handling and microplate instrumentation portfolio supports a wide spectrum of laboratory applications, from routine absorbance assays through to advanced automation and high-content workflows. With scalable solutions for washing, dispensing, detection, imaging, and plate automation, laboratories can build flexible workflows that improve reproducibility, efficiency, and throughput.  

To discuss the best Agilent liquid handling workflow for your laboratory, contact the team at Millennium Science.