UVP FirstLight UV Transilluminators - Manual (Page 2)

FirstLight UV Transilluminators Page 2
Introduction
UV transillumination is a ubiquitous tool in Life Science research. With few exceptions, fluorescent
stains used in post electrophoresis analysis of proteins and nucleic acids have significant excitation
peaks with ultraviolet (300-365 nm) light, making midrange UV the excitation source of choice for
high sensitivity analysis for many fluorophores. However, quantitative analysis is limited by the
extreme lack of illumination uniformity across the surface of typical UV light boxes. We report the
development and characterization of a highly uniform UV transillumination system, the FirstLight®
UV Illuminator. Through use of a high density lighting system with a tuned phosphor coating,
uniformity of <5% CV across the imaging surface has been achieved and applied to proteomic
analysis.
Presently, the use of digital fluorescent imaging for both documentation and analysis of
electrophoretic separations is commonplace in biological research laboratories[1]. Applications
include protein and DNA gel documentation and analysis [1-5,7,8]. With the introduction of cooled
low light and high resolution CCD cameras[1], CCD capture is an attractive alternative to laser
scanning based approaches.
The FirstLight UV Illuminator represents a unique highly uniform excitation source for quantitative
fluorescent imaging.
The FirstLight features:
UV Blocking Cover may be
included with the
transilluminator. The cover
is hinged and adjustable to
varying heights
Power switch
Filters are available in a
variety of filter sizes from
20 x 20cm to 25 x 26cm
Unique, patented filter and
phosphor coating enable
edge-to-edge UV uniformity
Grid light source design for
superior uniformity