Western Blotting Now Without X-Ray Films

May 23, 2014

Overall

Performance

Ease-of-Optimization

What do these ratings mean?
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University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Medicine
Post-doctoral researcher

Company:

Syngene

Product Name:

Syngene PXi

Catalog Number:

PXi-4

I focus on understanding the Molecular Biology of cancer programs using established cell lines as model. Western blotting is part and parcel of every research lab. And our lab is no different. Using X-ray films and waiting outside a dark room is time consuming. We recently bought this machine which can be automated. This gives you time to perform other experiments while the machine is doing its job. Also one doesn't have to take care of storing the X-ray films!

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

Western blotting

Starting Material

Whole cell lysate from HeLa cells

Protocol Overview

Western blot was performed as usual and the protein transferred to PCDF membrane, incubated with primary and secondary antibody and washed. The blot was then treated with chemiluminiscent substrate and captured with Syngene PXi (instead of X-ray films in dark room)

Tips

Make sure no one else is using it and it is switched on along with the computer which operates it.

Results Summary

The instrument is very easy to use. Open the software (the tray that holds the membrane can be operated by the software only). Place your blot and take multiple pictures of your blot, which can then be saved in standard Syngene format (.sgd) or exported as JPEG, TIFF or PNG.

Features Summary

Software is easy to use. Can be used to take longer exposures. You can use the auto mode to let the machine decide the optimal exposure time.

Additional Notes

None

Image Gallery

Summary

The Good

Easy to operate, liberty from x-ray films and dark room, auto mode allows you to let the instrument decide the correct exposure time, can be automated to take multiple pictures

The Bad

Software is in its infancy. Needs to be developed. Some of the features are confusing and a little difficult to find. The drawer to keep the blot doesn't come out automatically when its opened via the software

The Bottom Line

An easy to use instrument. The software needs some minor improvements. Having said that, it does the required job very nicely !

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