How to choose Alpha gel imaging

How to choose Alpha Gel Imaging, Alpha is a company specializing in the development of gel imaging, especially the development and production of high-end products. Its chemiluminescence imaging and multicolor fluorescent gel imaging products have been favored by users in the high-end gel imaging market. It is currently part of the US company ProteinSimple, but the products and brands still maintain a certain degree of independence. After the acquisition, several high-end products have been launched in succession, allowing people to see the continuation and innovation of ProteinSimple's Alpha brand. In order to make it easier for you to choose the model that suits you, we will give a brief introduction to the characteristics and main uses of each model, making it easier to select Alpha gel imaging.

How to choose Alpha gel imaging? The main products to be understood first are divided into 3 series (general gel imaging, chemiluminescent gel imaging and multicolor fluorescent gel imaging) according to their main functional characteristics. 8 products RED, AlphaImager Mini, AlphaImager HP , FluorChem FC2/FC3, FluorChem HD2, FluorChem E, FluorChem Q, FluorChem M (see http://), among them RED, FluorChemE, and FluorChem M are new all-in-ones.

First, the ordinary gel imaging system:

1RED: In 2008, Alpha introduced two new products, of which FluorChem Q is the pioneer of multi-color gel imaging, and the other is RED. RED is a small, all-in-one gel imager for fast, highly sensitive gel imaging. Its characteristics can be summarized in three words, namely

R (Rapid) - fast optical imaging system, built-in computer, can be used with one button to boot, U disk will then copy the acquired image to the independent installation software computer for analysis, satisfying a large number of people and a large number of ordinary

A laboratory for imaging needs.

E (Easy) - very easy to use operation steps, large-size touch screen display, simple and easy imaging software for ordinary imaging, reducing the technical requirements of users, applicable to the flow of large personnel

Laboratory.

D (Distinctive) - unique integrated design advantages: compact structure, saving lab space; built-in non-write computer to avoid system failure caused by computer poisoning or malfunction; built-in high resolution

Scientific cameras, automated optical systems, and three-bit filter wheels provide the same imaging experience as a mainframe.

RED has a very large image of the Alpha product line. It is officially recognized by RED in the market for its great success and wide acclaim, especially for European and American users. It has the high-end chemiluminescence and multicolor fluorescent machine FluorChem E and FluorChem M. It can be said that RED affects the development direction of gel imaging products - simpler, more efficient, and more specific. Therefore, a good understanding of RED will help us to help you choose the Alpha gel imaging machine.

2 AlphaImager Mini: It is a classic economical fluorescent/visible gel imaging analysis system, 1.3 megapixel scientific camera, F1.2 zoom lens, which fully meets the needs of ordinary imaging. At the same time, Alpha's most classic dual-wavelength UV lamps (302nm and 365nm) are equipped with an ultraviolet viewing window dedicated to common imaging, allowing real-time observation of the gel. Alpha's most traditional gel imaging system is targeted at professional gel imaging users with limited gel imaging and limited funding. It is also the representative of the best brand in the Alpha series with the longest online time and the most durable.

3AlphaImager HP: HP's design fully reflects the professionalism and foresight of Alpha. First of all, HP is mainly based on common gel imaging and analysis. The hardware has a high resolution of 1.4 million pixels, F1.2, 8-48mm fully automatic. The zoom lens, dual-wavelength UV light box, has AlphaView software and “one-click” smart software on the software, so that “clear” can capture clear images. In addition, as a leader in high-end gel imaging, Alpha has taken into account the possibility of Westernization in the latter stage. Therefore, HP has adopted a high-end DE-500 multi-function light box that can be easily upgraded to chemiluminescence. It is very simple and economical to upgrade to a chemiluminescent system if required. Therefore, HP is a high-end imaging system that can be upgraded to chemiluminescence at any time based on ordinary gel imaging.

Second, chemiluminescence gel imaging:

1FluorChem FC2/FC3: It is a multifunctional gel imaging system. Depending on its flexible design, FC3 can be converted at will in terms of chemiluminescence and fluorescent visible light. First of all, FluorChem FC2/FC3 is a basic chemiluminescent gel system, 2 million pixel CCD, deep cooling CCD-25 ° C, F1.8 28mm large aperture, fast lens and software exposure mode and pixel processing mode It maximizes the requirements for chemiluminescent gel imaging with a maximum sensitivity of ng. At the same time, when replacing the lens with the F2.8 28-70mm automatic zoom lens, it is also called an excellent ordinary gel imaging system.

2 FluorChem HD2: It has the most advanced 16-bit dynamic range and 4.2-megapixel high-resolution CCD, 7.4x7.4um unit pixel, absolute -25°C deep cooling, F0.95, 50mm wide-angle large aperture lens, up to 8x8 Pixel merge mode and so on, marking it is a particularly suitable for chemiluminescent samples with very weak signals, fluorescence and visible light imaging. In order to solve the requirements of weaker chemiluminescence imaging and analysis, HD2 is perfected in every part of the system, using the largest size CCD and the widest angle manual lens, and optimized by software to maximize sensitivity and reduce noise at room temperature. Up to 15 grams of clear imaging results. It is the best and most stable product in the market for chemiluminescent gel imaging systems. It can be seen from the configuration that it can also be used as an excellent tool for ordinary gel imaging, but it is considered that the fixed-angle lens imaging is often used in the laboratory for chemiluminescence imaging, while the conventional imaging uses the electric lens to focus the imaging at will, so if You are a high-end chemiluminescence imaging user, and we recommend that the use of HD2 is generally only suitable for chemiluminescence imaging.

3 FluorChem E: Innovation has always been the driving force behind Alpha's continuous improvement. FluorChem E is the result of HD2+RED+ technology innovation. It has or exceeds the high sensitivity performance of HD2 (8 megapixels, f gram sensitivity), RED's fast, Easy-to-operate and unique integrated structure, wireless WiFi compatible with iPhone/iPad and terminal devices such as PC or Mac can be used for image transmission. FluorChem E meets the needs of a large number of laboratories that have a large demand for chemiluminescence imaging and a large flow of people. Similar to RED, FluorChem E has gained user acceptance in the field of western blot imaging and analysis.

Third, multi-color fluorescent gel imaging:

1. FluorChem Q is the world's first set of multi-color fluorescence, chemiluminescence and visible light detection gel imaging system launched by Alpha in 2008. Its 4.2 million pixel, 0.95 large aperture lens ensures its sensitivity. Chemiluminescence imaging, dual-reflection high-intensity tri-color LED lamps and transmissive UV sources enable detection of up to five fluorescent dyes, and their unique low-profile sample holders ensure superior multi-color fluorescence imaging performance. In addition to its excellent hardware configuration, Fluorchem Q's easy, fast, and streamlined Alphaview Q software is unmatched. Alphaview Q software has a multi-channel fluorescence imaging program that automatically switches excitation sources and filters. Shooting of multi-channel fluorescence images. The unique channel view function allows you to view the image of each fluorescent channel separately; the linear analysis of multi-color fluorescent bands or spots is the best choice for multicolor fluorescence imaging. Multicolor fluorescent gel imaging technology, like chemiluminescence, is also a kind of Western Blot detection and analysis instrument, which solves the problem that is difficult to solve by chemiluminescent gel imaging system (see http://). /s02/article/2013/06/01/796405.html ), to some extent, we can think of it as a good complement to chemiluminescent gel imaging. After all, chemiluminescence is the most widely used Western Blot. Main instrument. Therefore, an excellent multi-color gel imaging system is not only the light source, CCD, lens and analysis software necessary for excellent multi-color fluorescent gel imaging, but also high sensitivity to chemiluminescence gel imaging. demand.

2, FluorChem M: It can be said that FluorChem M inherits the excellent features of RED at the higher end and is innovative. Like FluorChem M, it is the result of innovation of FluorChem Q+RED+. FluorChem M is equipped with various excitation and emission channels. A variety of proteins can be detected simultaneously on the same membrane, and each sample data can be superimposed and observed separately. No stripping and re-hybridization are needed, which not only solves the problem of strip overlap, but also ensures the completeness and accuracy of the result data and shortens the experiment time. At the same time, it has the features of RED's fast, easy operation and unique integrated structure, and the advancement and development of technology, wireless WiFi compatible with iPhone/iPad and PC or Mac terminal equipment can be used for image transmission. FluorChem M is suitable for laboratories with a large number of people who have a large demand for chemiluminescence imaging, a large flow of people and a multicolor fluorescent gel imaging analysis.

Alpha gel imaging selection reference table (how to choose the appropriate model for Alpha gel imaging):

Note: For more information on how to choose Alpha gel imaging please refer to ; information is subject to change without notice!