%0 Journal Article %A Karol Szymula %A Michael S. Magaraci %A Michael Patterson %A Andrew Clark %A Sevile G. Mannickarottu %A Brian Y. Chow %T An Open-Source Plate Reader %D 2018 %R 10.1101/413781 %J bioRxiv %P 413781 %X Microplate readers are foundational instruments in experimental biology and bioengineering that enable multiplexed spectrophotometric measurements. To enhance their accessibility, we here report the design, construction, validation, and benchmarking of an open-source microplate reader. The system features full-spectrum absorbance and fluorescence emission detection, in situ optogenetic stimulation, and stand-alone touch screen programming of automated assay protocols. The total system costs <$3500, a fraction of the cost of commercial plate readers, and can detect the fluorescence of common dyes down to ∼10 nanomolar concentration. Functional capabilities were demonstrated in context of synthetic biology, optogenetics, and photosensory biology: by steady-state measurements of ligand-induced reporter gene expression in a model of bacterial quorum sensing, and by flavin photocycling kinetic measurements of a LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) domain photoreceptor used for optogenetic transcriptional activation. Fully detailed guides for assembling the device and automating it using the custom Python-based API (Application Program Interface) are provided. This work contributes a key technology to the growing community-wide infrastructure of open-source biology-focused hardware, whose creation is facilitated by rapid prototyping capabilities and low-cost electronics, optoelectronics, and microcomputers.AHLAcyl-homoserine lactoneAPIApplication Programming InterfaceCCDCharge-coupled deviceEL222Light-activated DNA-binding protein EL222GFPGreen fluorescent proteinGUIGraphical User InterfaceLEDLight-emitting diodeLOVLight-oxygen-voltageluxRTranscriptional activator protein luxRODOptical densityPMTPhotomultiplier tubeRBSRibosome binding siteSMASub-miniature version A interface %U https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2018/09/12/413781.full.pdf