Gel Imaging Systems

A - Gel Imager Wavelength Channels
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Gel imagers contain transilluminators that emit ultraviolet light or visible light for visualization of fluorescent and chemiluminescent samples or counting bacterial colonies. The UV or visible light bandwidth emitted by the transilluminator must match the absorbance spectrum of the fluorescent dye used during gel separation, blotting or thin layer chromatography.

Blue light, emitted at 470 nanometers, is optimal for colony counting or viewing samples stained with commercial dyes such as SYBR Green, SYBR Gold or SYBR Safe.

For UV visualization, 254 nanometer light is optimal for DNA cross-linking, 302 nanometer light is ideal for short exposure gels stained with Ethidium Bromide, and 365 nanometer light is best for gel band cutting.

B - Gel Imager Uses and Applications
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B1 - DNA Gels

Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) samples are loaded onto an agarose or acrylamide gel and exposed to an electrical field, causing the negatively-charged samples to travel down the gel toward the positive electrode. Smaller DNA or RNA fragments travel faster than longer fragments, allowing researchers to identify fragments tagged with fluorescent dyes to excise the samples for further purification. DNA gels are commonly used for PCR analysis, cloning, and next generation sequencing.

B2 - Protein Gels

Protein samples are loaded onto a polyacrylamide gel submerged in a commercially available buffer Tris-Glycene or Tris-Acetate– Tris-Glycene or Tris-Acetate – for separation and purification. Similar to DNA gels, protein fragments of varying lengths migrate at different speeds through the gel matrix. Protein gels are used for mass spectrometry, sample denaturing, and blotting.

B3 - Colony Counting

Colony counting is the process of determining the number of microbial colony forming units (CFUs) present within the optimal growth conditions of a petri dish loaded with cell media.

What Is A Colony Forming Unit?

Each colony forming unit represents a gross estimate of the number of homogenous, viable cells growing on the plate. Colony counting is used to detect and quantify microbes in soil, water or food samples as well as identify unique cell lines for microbial cell culture research.

B4 - Thin Layer Chromatography

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a research technique used to separate the components of a mixture using a thin film supported by an inert backing. As the mixture moves through the column, or stationary phase, its components will migrate at different speeds based on their affinity to the column or solvent (mobile phase). Common stationary phases include silica gel, cellulose, and aluminum oxide. Common mobile phases include methanol, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate. TLC is used to quantify and qualify many substances, including lipids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and pesticides.

B5 - Southern and Western Blot Gel

Western blotting gels, used to separate proteins for further isolation and purification, come in two primary forms: native gels and SDS-PAGE gels. Native gels, used to study enzyme or protein complexes, separate proteins based on size and ionic charge. SDS-PAGE gels, used to study antibody affinity, separate proteins based on size by denaturing the samples using the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).

Southern blotting gels, used to separate DNA fragments from blood or tissue samples using restriction enzyme digestion, come in two primary forms: polyacrylamide (PAGE) gels with urea and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gels with urea.

C - Gel Imager Camera Resolution
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Gel imagers with cameras include CCD or CMOS cameras with resolutions from 5 megapixels to 17.9 megapixels. The megapixel number represents the quantity of individual points within an image. A camera with a higher pixel count produces images with higher resolution, greater sensitivity, and better image clarity.

D - Gel Imager Voltage
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120-volt connections are suitable for standard laboratory power outlets in the United States.

208-volt or 240-volt connections, common in mainland Europe, require less current (amperage) and smaller conductors than equipment designed to operate at 120-volt.

E - Special Gel Imager Features
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E1 - Integral Printer

Although most commercially-available gel imaging systems offer optional external printers.

Analytik Jena’s UVP PhotoDoc-It systems include an integral printer for convenient printing of high-quality gel images.

E2 - Side Access Door

Analytik Jena’s GelStudio, GelSolo and MultiDoc-It imagers include side access doors for convenient loading and unloading of gels or culture plates.

E3 - PLC Touchscreen Gel Imagers

Analytik Jena’s ChemStudio, GelStudio and GelSolo imagers include integrated color touchscreens for filter and illumination control. Templates and macros, within the onboard software system, are programmable to support customized workflows.

Where Can I Buy Laboratory Gel Imagers Online?

Laboratory-Equipment.com is a specialty division of Terra Universal. For nearly 40 years, Terra Universal has served the life science, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device markets. Customers appreciate a worldwide network of reps, factory-direct support, and ready-to-ship items available from Terra's manufacturing and warehouse facilities in Fullerton, California.

Shop a wide selection of laboratory gel imagers and gel documentation systems for a wide variety of applications including general laboratory, research, PCR, DNA/RNA techniques, ELISA, protein analysis, and cell culture.

Contact a Laboratory-equipment.com specialist through web chat, email, or phone for pricing or a same-day quote.

Shop Gel Imagers by Style

Colony Counting

DNA Gels

DNA/ Protein Gels

Gel and Blot Imager

Thin Layer Chromatograph

UV Gel Documentation

Shop Gel Imagers By Compatible Stains

Ethidium Bromide

Green Fluorescent Stains

UV Stains

A - Transilluminator Wavelength Channels
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Gel transilluminators emit ultraviolet light (254 nm, 302 nm and 365 nm) or visible light (465 nm) for visualization of fluorescent nucleic acid or protein samples. The UV or visible light wavelength emitted by the transilluminator must match the absorbance spectrum of the fluorescent dye used during gel separation.

Blue light, emitted at 465 nanometers, is optimal for viewing samples stained with commercial dyes such as SYBR Green, SYBR Gold or GFP.

UV Visualization Wavelength Channels

254 nanometer light is optimal for DNA cross-linking, 302 nanometer light is ideal for short exposure gels stained with Ethidium Bromide, and 365 nanometer light is best for gel band cutting.

B - Viewing Surface Dimensions
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The Accuris Smart BlueCompact is a small footprint transilluminator with a 4” square viewing surface to save on benchtop space. Larger-footprint transilluminators, like UVP’s FirstLight, include a 14” x 11” viewing surface to visualize multiple gels during a single run.

C - Light Source
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C1 - Ultraviolet (UV) Light Transilluminators

UV transilluminators include a 254 nm, 302 nm or 365 nm light excitation source for quantitative fluorescent imaging of DNA, RNA or protein samples.The backlit, 25-watt UV lamp emits high-output illumination for uniformity across the imaging surface and accurate gel-to-gel comparisons.

Blue Light vs UV Illumination - Pros & Cons

While UV illumination results in more precise imaging of gel bands than visual blue light, UV light carries a higher risk of sample damage (due to over-exposure) and worker injury. All operators using UV transilluminators must wear UV face shields and use UV-blocking surface covers while the unit is operating.

C2 - Visible Light Transilluminators

Light Transilluminators forNucleic Acid and Protein Gel Visualization

Visible light transilluminators include an 8-watt bulb emitting blue light at 465 nanometers for visualization of nucleic acid or protein gels containing SYBR Green, SYBR Safe or GFP fluorescent dyes.

Visible Light vs UV Light Illuminator Differences

While visible light models demonstrate reduced uniformity and band clarity as compared to UV systems, they carry no risk of sample damage or operator exposure. Although visible light transilluminators represent an economical alternative to UV systems, they are less effective in visualizing Ethidium Bromide gels and performing accurate gel-to-gel comparisons.

D - Transilluminator Voltage
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120-volt connections are suitable for standard laboratory power outlets in the United States.

208-volt or 240-volt connections, common in mainland Europe, require less current (amperage) and smaller conductors than equipment designed to operate at 120-volt.

E - Transilluminator Filter Cover
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E1 - Amber For Visible Light Transilluminators

Amber filter covers block blue light transmission to ensure high-quality, precise imaging of fluorescent dyes with emission wavelengths above 500 nm.

E2 - Clear, UV-Blocking For UV Transilluminators

Clear, UV-blocking filters prevent operator exposure while supporting sample visualization. UV blocking filters easily adjust for loading and unloading of gels.

F - Transilluminator Light Intensity
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F1 - Single Intensity Transilluminators

Single-light transilluminators are ideal for low-throughput research settings involving gel staining with a single fluorescent dye.

F2 - Variable Intensity Transilluminators

Variable light intensity transilluminators include low, medium and high settings for different applications. The low-intensity mode is optimal for gel positioning, multiple band excision, and sample imaging. The medium intensity mode is ideal for single-band excision. The high-intensity mode is best for low sample concentrations.

G - Special Transilluminator Features
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G1 - Smart Phone Compatibility

The Accuris SmartDoc 2.0 system is compatible with smartphones and tablets to support the imaging of fluorescent gel stains. Each model includes an orange imaging filter to enhance sample clarity.

G2 - Double or Triple UV Light Transilluminator Sources

Analytik Jena’s UVP Benchtop Transilluminators include optional double or triple UV lamps for light emission at up to three separate, concurrent wavelengths: 254 nm, 302 nm, and 365 nm.

Laboratory-Equipment.com is a specialty division of Terra Universal. For nearly 40 years, Terra Universal has served the life science, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device markets. Customers appreciate a worldwide network of reps, factory-direct support, and ready-to-ship items available from Terra's manufacturing and warehouse facilities in Fullerton, California.

Shop a wide selection of UV and visible light illuminators online for a wide variety of applications including general laboratory, research, PCR, DNA/RNA techniques, ELISA, protein analysis, and cell culture.

Contact a Laboratory-equipment.com specialist through web chat, email, or phone for pricing or a same-day quote.