SYNGENE’s latest gel transilluminator is equipped with two banks of LEDs to provide excitation at the mid-blue wavelength of 470nm, making it suitable for use with the latest non-toxic DNA stains.
Syngene's UltraBright-LED works at blue wavelengths for safer gel imaging
The UltraBright-LED is described as a new generation of blue light transilluminator, compatible with dyes that excite at 420-480nm, and providing a safe alternative to UV when working with non-toxic fluorescent dyes.
Among the appropriate dyes for use at this wavelength are including Syngene’s UltraSafe Blue, SYBR Safe, and GelGreen, and protein stains such as SYPRO Ruby and Pro-Q Diamond. The system also works with ethidium bromide, although this may be considered hazardous.
When used with non-toxic stains, the blue light means that researchers can use UltraBright-LED directly on the lab bench, where it takes up little space. The filters in the lid enhance band contrast, but if necessary the transilluminator slides into the Syngene G:Box imaging system for visualising faint bands – thereby facilitating precise band cutting and the production of high quality images.
“Blue light is a safe light source which can be used on the bench, because it is not as harmful as UV and does not photo-nick DNA samples”, observed Laura Sullivan, Syngene’s divisional manager. “UltraBright-LED complements our UltraSlim-LED transilluminator for use in In:Genius3 and U:Genius3 gel doc systems, and when used in combination with G:Box is an excellent tool to generate outstanding gel images without compromising DNA quality or safety.”