Designed for bioscience applications, the BioSpec-mini spectrophotometer contains a wide range of functionality in an easy-to-use format. Standard on-board application modes include nucleic acid analysis, protein analysis, and spectrum measurement. The BioSpec-mini accurately measures protein concentration, allowing normalization of sample concentrations prior to electrophoresis, an essential step before choosing a gel staining method, and later analysis by mass spectrometry. Protein samples of a known concentration can be measured automatically to create a calibration curve, equation and R2 value; samples of an unknown concentration can then be measured directly, and the BioSpec-mini will display the protein concentration as well as absorption figures.