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Gel imaging systems are a staple of most labs and ours is no exception. For years we got by using an outdated gel imaging system that required considerable time to setup and to adjust in order to produce interpretable images. When we upgraded that system, we looked into several imaging systems and chose the BioDoc-It on the basis of several features that we lacked in our old system. Of particular note in this system is the much improved camera, touch screen computer system and control panel and the ability to export images directly via a USB port in addition to using a remote printer. We have been using this system for around a year now, predominantly for imaging and recording DNA bands derived from PCR amplifications.
Although as mentioned above, we typically use this instrument for imaging DNA run on agarose gels, we also use the system to image and document the production and purification of recombinant proteins on SDS-PAGE gels.
Most often we run 1% agarose gels containing 96 individual wells, each with between 5 and 15ul of PCR product mixed with an appropriate loading dye. A DNA ladder of an appropriate size should also be included to aid in interpretation of the PCR amplicon size. Once the gel has run for an appropriate period, the gel is transferred to the BioDoc-It for imaging.
The gel is placed in the center of the imaging unit and the door is closed. Using the live imaging mode, the gel is positioned correctly, adjusting the zoom manually on the FluorCam 220 to scale the on-screen image to size. In live screening preview mode, the image of the gel appears on the touch screen. The gel can be adjusted for position without opening the main door to the unit by using the convenient access holes positioned on either side of the unit. The gel can also be seen directly through a window located on the front of the box. The appearance of the image is readily adjustable using the stylus and touch screen. Use of the stylus allows precise adjustment and prevents damage to the screen as a result of any chemicals that might be present on the users gloves. Once the image has been adjusted, it can be saved, printed, or exported to a USB device. The BioDoc-It does not require an external computer to perform these functions, although it can be connected via an ethernet cable to a host network.
Multiple images can be stored in the BioDoc-It’s hard drive and then exported to a USB device. Using the stylus and touch screen, time and date stamps can be quickly and automatically added to each image to clarify their origin.
This all in one system has been a huge step forward for our lab. Our previous system was an outdated and unreliable imaging system that resulted in prolonged exposure of DNA to UV light and poor quality images. The BioDoc-It allows quick, reliable and repeatable results with a user interface that is intuitive and simple.
Touch screen with stylus, access ports on each side to allow easy adjustment of gel during imaging, window at front for direct viewing of gel, intuitive touch-screen interface, direct transfer of images using network connectivity, USB export option
We have found the need to attach the stylus to the side of the machine to prevent its loss. The BioDoc-It comes with a choice of two cameras – we chose to buy the FluorCam 220 which is the camera with a 1.3 mega pixel lens. Although we don’t have a direct comparison with the 210 model (0.3 megapixel), the images that we get from this machine are excellent and readily scalable for use in presentations/publication, etc.