The LightBIS Pro is an advanced, high-performing gel documentation system for detection in the fluorescent and visible spectrums. The system comes with advanced fluorescence features and all of these features are operated by very user friendly software. The instrument has a super bright lens with a 6-position motorized filter wheel, a dark chamber and a UV-transilluminator. The best feature in this instrument, apart from its specialized functions, is the automatic drawer detection technology in which the system is provided with two different drawers: one for UV applications and the other for white light applications. Users can easily change the working drawer for the optimal match with the light source and sample. Once the user has selected a drawer, the system automatically adjusts the software to support the chosen procedure.
For delivering superior results, the dark chamber is completely sealed. This dark chamber is integrated with UV/white light drawers, epi-illumination for UV and white light, as well as a unique, monochromatic LED system with LEDs of different wavelengths. These monochromatic LEDs can be used with or without filters to augment the visibility of a dyed area. We can use a single LED or a combination of several for better illumination. These LEDs start at 470 nm (blue) and can reach up to 620 nm (Red), and using a combination of LEDs gives the full spectrum (white light).
The LightBIS Pro captures the sharpest possible real-time images. This is done by a powerful, 16-bit (65,536 gray levels), high-quality, 1.3 (1280 x 1024) megapixel CMOS camera. We can view the image in real-time on a PC monitor. The lens has 6X zoom capacity with auto zoom (digital). This instrument can be used for absorbance and fluorescence applications. The machine is equipped with an epi-UV function using two different UV lamps. This function is used for specialized applications like TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) imaging where the image needs to be captured from above. The instrument also comes with six different filters. The UV filter, for example, is used for imaging ethidium bromide stained agarose gels and visualizing the stained DNA/RNA.
The Gel Capture application seamlessly integrates with the unit. The software gives complete control to configure, capture and save our sample images for analysis. The interface shows all of the features and tasks on the main screen. The software also allows us to create up to five presets; these presets are intended to be those configurations which we use most often in order to provide quickest access. The software saves images in black and white only. Pseudo-coloring of gels can also be done.
There is one lack in terms of safety measures: There is no option for automatically switching off the UV light, thus, proper precautions should be taken during operation. The instrument does not come with a computer so this must be purchased separately. One problem with the software is that we have to reinstall the entire software package if we disconnect instrument from the computer for a while (instrument connects to computer via USB).
I can strongly recommend this instrument. We generally use this masterpiece for our routine gel analyses which are stained by different dyes like ethidium bromide, SYBR® Green and also gels stained with Coomassie blue (white light application). It is an ideal piece for documentation of gels and with varied applications. This instrument is perfectly suitable for both research as well as diagnostic applications.