Our lab discovered Alpha Innotech’s FluorChem® HD2 High Dynamic Range Imaging System when we were looking to upgrade our existing gel documentation system to one capable of doing chemiluminescence. Unfortunately, our system from another vendor couldn’t be upgraded, and we were told we would have to purchase a new imaging system. Alpha Innotech was recommended to us through literature from SuperArray, the makers of chemiluminescent arrays for studying gene expression associated with a biological pathway or disease state. After contacting Alpha Innotech, we were delighted to find that we could purchase a system that was capable of being upgraded with a variety of accessories in the future. Our lab purchased the FluorChem HD2.
The FluorChem HD2 High Dynamic Range Imaging System offers an excellent combination of resolution, sensitivity, and dynamic range. The FluorChem HD2 system is designed for chemiluminescent blots but also images fluorescent gels and blots, as well as providing for white light imaging. The FluorChem HD2 is housed in the flexible MultiImage® II cabinet. The cabinet houses a dual wavelength, pullout UV transilluminator, white light table, EPI white lights and optional dual wavelength Epi UV lights. Additionally, the cabinet has an adjustable shelf for imaging chemiluminescent blots. We also added the optional Chromalight multiwavelength illuminator which allows our lab to do real time in vivo imaging at the near infrared fluorescence.
This multipurpose system is used for DNA gel imaging, protein gels, chemiluminescent blots, and chemiluminescent arrays. The autoexpose feature in the software makes it easy to capture an image of all these different samples, since the exposure time is automatically set by the software. The system comes standard with AlphaEaseFC analysis software, which is used mostly to quantify the band intensities on DNA gels, and analyze the intensity of the spots on chemiluminescent arrays.
Our lab has also conducted research in which we used the chromalight to image Cy5.5 that we have coupled to vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and injected into tumor-prone mice. Thanks to the use of VEGF-Cy5.5 we were able to discover an overwhelming expression of VEGF receptors and co-receptors (neuropilins) in the mouse bladder epithelium 1,2. We were able to trace the movement (distance and velocity) of the dextran-Cy5.5 dye through the lymphatic system using the Chromalight multi-wavelength illuminator and a manuscript was published in this regard1. We also introduced dual contrast agents in the form of BSA-Gd-Cy5.5 that permit to study plasma extravasation and lymphatic vessel function at the NIRF and MRI levels3.
Since purchasing the system, we have been thrilled by the performance. The system does more than it was sold to us for. Alpha Innotech provided us with great customer support making it easy for our lab to make the transition to the new imaging system.
References
1 Saban MR, et al. “VEGF receptors and neuropilins are expressed in the urothelial and neuronal cells in normal mouse urinary bladder and are upregulated in inflammation,” Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2008, 295(1):F60-72: PMID: 18463314.
2 Saban R, et al. “Urothelial expression of Neuropilins and VEGF receptors in control and interstitial cystitis patients,” Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2008, 295:1613-1623; PMID 18815217.
3 Saban MR, et al. “Lymphatic Vessel Density and Function in Experimental Bladder Cancer,” BMC Cancer 2007, 7:219. PMID: 18047671.
Professor
College of Medicine
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC)