Abstract: A reconfigurable microplate reader comprises a plurality of user installable detection modules. Each module comprises a self-contained detector for a microplate reader. Each module reconfigures the microplate reader to implement at least one specific detection scheme for detecting any of luminescence, fluorescence, and absorbance and/or reconfiguring said microplate reader to implement any of a fluorometer and a luminometer. A microplate reader platform has a port for coupling at least one user installable detection module thereto. The platform also comprises a user interface from the platform to the module, a machine interface from the platform to the module, and a platform configuration mechanism for recognizing a specific detection scheme for an installed detection module and for configuring the platform to support the specific detection scheme.