Charge-coupled device (CCD) technology offers the advantage of being more flexible in its applications but is often reported as being less sensitive than laser scanning for measuring proteins labeled with fluorescent dyes.

Is anybody familiar with suppliers of CCD-based Transilluminators? if yes, have you done any comparison to find out which technique works better for 1-D polyacrylamid protein gels. Please let me know the best suppliers in CCD-based Transilluminators

MariaMaria said:

Charge-coupled device (CCD) technology offers the advantage of being more flexible in its applications but is often reported as being less sensitive than laser scanning for measuring proteins labeled with fluorescent dyes. Is anybody familiar with suppliers of CCD-based Transilluminators? if yes, have you done any comparison to find out which technique works better for 1-D polyacrylamid protein gels. Please let me know the best suppliers in CCD-based Transilluminators

Visualization proteins on 1-D polycarylamid gels is performed by utilizing Coomassie Blue or silver staining. New fluorescent dyes have been developed that are easier to dispose of than silver staining dyes.

Imaging fluorescent dyes can prove difficult for some labs because they require the use of laser-based scanners.

Instead, CCD-based technology can be used to detect the most popular fluorescent dyes, and by using the right imaging conditions.

We have been using CCD-based transilluminator from Sygene .

Ok thanks DD. I have learned that few more companies are offering the CCD-based Transilluminators, are you familiar with:
Kodak, Ultra-Lum, UVP, Scientific Imaging Systems and Miriabio?

CCD cameras and transilluminators have been around for quite some time. They can be configured to do just about any type of imaging you may want to do in the UV. The real trick is getting the right camera and the right illumination system for your work. What is your area of interest, what dyes work at what spectral range, do you need real-time, time lapse, stills, etc? Also there are quite a few new CMOS cameras on the market now that would do a better job of digital color imaging than a CCD camera. The transilluminator can be bought from any number of places, the real hard part is getting the right camera: Foveon, Kodak, Toshiba, ISG, Dalsa, Basler all make terrific sensors and cameras for such work. I have images on my personal webpage take with Foveon based cameras in Near UV and NIR fluorescence. Happy hunting!