| In 1995 Kyle Willis detailed the
essential parts needed to build a basic acquisition system
for Ethidium Bromide (EtBr) Gels. As time progresses,
technologies and vendors have changed, so we continue to
adapt the description to current hardware to allow those
scientists who have some equipment to acquire the remaining
parts easily. Another description is available in Methods in
Molecular Biology, "Bioinformatics Methods and Protocols,
Vol 132, Chapter 14, S. Misener & S. Krawetz (eds),
1999, Humana Press, ISBN # 0-89603-732-0.
Complete Systems can be purchased
from Bio-Rad, UVP, Ultra-Lum, Fotodyne, and many more.
Systems generally consist of an illuminator, hood, camera
system, computer, software, and printer.
Cameras for transmitted light gels
and fluorescence gels can consist of a digital monochrome
camera such as the Scion CFW-1310M available in either 110
volt or 220 volt options. These are compatible with the
ImageJ program and cost $1,995 USD. They can be used with
both visible and fluorescence gels.
Lenses can consist of a C-Mount
Zoom. Two popular models are the 8 to 48 mm F1.0 or the 11
to 69 mm F1.4. This type of lens is adaptable to either Copy
Stand use or for use with hoods in gel imaging systems.
Filters vary with application, but
interference filters for EtBr gels can be obtained from a
variety of sources. Many are available with filter rings
attached, which allow the filter to screw directly onto the
Zoom Lens. These interference filters must provide UV and IR
blocking, as well as 80% transmission at the peak. (Photo
courtesy of Prof. David McCobb, Cornell University, Dept
Neurobiology and Behavior, Ithaca, NY).
Copy Stands can be used to mount the camera for use in a
dark room. Hoods provide the same function, with the added
ability to work in low-light, and to shield the gels from
interference from room light.
Computers can be adapted from laboratory supplies,
provided they have a FireWire (IEEE-1394) Port. FireWire
Boards can be purchased and added to an existing computer
that does not contain a FireWire Port. These boards can be
bought at local computer supply stores for a minimum cost.
Windows PC computers must be running Windows 2000 or Windows
XP. Macintosh G4 and newer machines running Mac OS X work
equally well as their PC counterparts.
Printers have undergone dramatic cost reductions recently
with the introduction of 1400 dpi ink jet. Many quality ink
jet printers can be acquired for a small amount of
money.
Software for analysis of gels is widely available,
including freeware like ImageJ for Macintosh & PC
Windows. This program is free, as well as the gel analysis
macros available through the ImageJ website
(http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij)
A basic Gel Acquisition system can be assembled for under
$3,000 comprised of existing parts from the laboratory
combined with some commercial parts. More advanced packages
offer additional ease-of-use and analysis. Several vendors
offer kits, and other vendors offer software packages which
can be added as the volume and sophistication of the
laboratory advances.
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