Gel Documentation System

Gel documentation is a technique of imaging parts of DNA in a gel. Gel doc technique is usually applied to control the composition of organisms and look at possible abnormalities.

What is Gel Documentation System?

Gel Documentation System, also known as Gel Doc or Gel Image System is an important biotechnology equipment used in molecular biology laboratories for imaging and documentation of nucleic acid and protein polyacrylamide or agarose gels typically stained with ethidium bromide or other fluorophores such as SYBR Green.

Need of Gel Documentation System

To know the importance and requirement of Gel Doc System and gel imaging, one must be aware of gel electrophoresis which is a common technique in molecular biology and is used to analyze DNA preparations to check quantity, size, structure and constitution of prepared samples with the help of such laboratory apparatus as capillary electrophoresis instrument. After separation on a gel, DNA is usually visualized under UV light. It is often needed to keep a record of such analysis for future reference or analysis. This need can be fulfilled with instant photography to produce a hard copy print of the illuminated gel and its visible bands.

With advancement in technology and innovations in the new lab apparatus, video documentation is preferred by most of the researchers as it has many advantages. Such gel imaging provides a live video preview of the gel image which can be seen even prior to image capture. Moreover, such captured gel image can be saved as a computer file that can be easily archived and printed when necessary and analyzed with the help of suitable gel document analysis software. Due to these benefits, the gel documentation systems have come to occupy an important position among the various biotechnology instruments.

Designs of Gel Documentation System

Generally, a Gel Doc is composed of an ultraviolet (UV) light transilluminator, a hood to shield external light sources and a camera for image capturing. However, the present day gel documentation manufacturers understand the importance of efficiency in research and analytical laboratories as well as the impact of good output on such efficiency. Therefore, the gel doc manufacturers now make such designs of gel documentation systems that are compatible to the types of user and applications.

The gel documentation system manufacturers thus incorporate different levels of simplicity, portability, safety and robustness in the designs of Gel Doc Systems. For example, some of the gel imaging systems are more suitable for the frequent, dedicated users who require precise control over the gel image characteristics like brightness, contrast, background level etc. Other gel documentation systems may combine simplicity, safety and robustness, with a good level of functionality, ideal for large, multi-user research groups. Sometimes, small laboratories with limited budget and space may require ultimate simplicity and portability of gel doc system and it is not a hard task to find such gel documentation systems too. We have a vast database of Gel Documentation System Manufacturers and Suppliers. Send Online Enquiry for all types of gel documentation systems, gel doc, gel imaging systems including Fluorescence, Chemiluminescence, Proteomics & Gel Imaging with TLC Documentation System to get immediate response from genuine and pre verified gel doc system manufacturers.

Types of Gel Documentation System

There are different levels of research and experimentation with DNA and other proteins, cells etc. in molecular biology requiring different levels of sophistication in laboratory apparatus including the gel documentation system. So, the gel documentation system suppliers have all types of gel documentation systems for each kind of need. Following are some of the types of gel imaging systems that are available in the market.

Fluorescence Gel Documentation System

These gel doc systems are ideal for imaging fluorescence from fluorescent gels, colored western blots or GFP labeled colonies. Some of them have LED lighting modules that can automatically select the best combination of lighting and filters with the help of installed software. They can provide accurate automated analysis too.

Chemiluminescence & Fluorescence Gel Doc System

These are ideal image analysis system that can handle complex fluorescence imaging of 1D gels and chemiluminescence imaging of western blots. Some of them have high resolution cameras and different lighting and filter options for rapid DNA/RNA imaging along with chemiluminescence imaging.

Chemiluminescence Gel Doc System

These gel imaging systems are highly sensitive systems for imaging of western blots, spot blots and slot blots. Many of them come with CCD camera that reduces background noise occuring electronically within the camera.

Proteomics Gel Documentation System

They are good for 2D electrophoresis gel imaging due to their advanced software. Some of them are compatible with mass spectrometry and features higher sensitivity and dynamic range making them a ideal tool for proteomics studies.

Gel Documentation with TLC Documentation System

Certain gel documentation systems are capable of automatic imaging of TLC or the Thin Layer Chromatography plates of colored or fluorescent spots and bands on a TLC plate.

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