Phosphor Imagers

Phosphor imaging is a sensitive technique that uses storage phosphor screens to capture radioactive emissions from radiolabeled samples such as tissue sections and blots. Phosphor imagers are used to scan these screens, converting the stored energy to visible light and capturing them as digital images. Compared to traditional radiation-sensitive film, phosphor screens offer significantly greater sensitivity, often reducing exposure times by at least tenfold. This enhanced sensitivity and a broader linear dynamic range make them particularly advantageous for detecting short-lived radioactive labels, where rapid data acquisition is crucial. Instruments with phosphor imaging capabilities are often multifunctional and can support other imaging modalities, such as (NIR) fluorescence, RGB fluorescence, and densitometry. These imagers are ideal in detecting trace amounts of radiolabeled nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, and are essential for techniques including RNA 5’ end modification, cleavage assays, and fragment analysis. Visit the instrument supplier page for more information.