July 6, 2017, Lincoln, NE: Researchers can eliminate the risk of ethidium bromide exposure and workspace contamination from their nucleic acid gel analysis experiments using the new D-DiGit® Gel Scanner from LI-COR Biosciences. The novel, LED-based D-DiGit Gel Scanner enables safe and convenient detection of DNA and RNA samples stained with fluorescent safe stains, like SYBR® Safe.
Safe stains are sensitive and environmentally-friendly alternatives to ethidium bromide. Added either during gel preparation, or as a post-electrophoresis stain, safe stains eliminate the need for hazardous disposal and hassles associated with ethidium bromide.
"DNA fragments exposed to UV light during gel imaging and band excision can be nicked or damaged, resulting in lower cloning efficiencies," says Steve Shiflett, LI-COR product manager. "The D-DiGit offers a unique upgrade to safer, high-sensitivity LED detection that does not interfere with cloning and downstream processing of excised fragments."
The D-DiGit improves protocol efficiency by consolidating nucleic acid analysis on a single system dedicated to high-sensitivity gel imaging. The scanner provides a large scan area to visualize most medium and larger format gels. Nucleic acid band extraction and imaging can be performed directly on the scan surface.
"We know bench space and lab budgets are at premium, the D-DiGit Gel Scanner is an economical and compact instrument that is only 12 inches by 12 inches and only five inches tall," says Shiflett.
LI-COR Biosciences also provides innovative solutions for both chemiluminescent and near-infrared Western Blot detection. The LI-COR C-DiGit® Chemiluminescent Blot Scanner eliminates typical darkroom hassles—like multiple exposures or waiting in line. LI-COR Odyssey near infrared systems feature multiplex, direct fluorescent detection for faster, more precise analysis and accurate quantification. LI-COR offers a complete line of chemiluminescent and IRDye® infrared dye reagents for Western blotting.
For more information contact:
D. Doc Chaves
Director of Corporate Communications
LI-COR Biosciences
doc.chaves@licor.com