Syngene, a world-leading manufacturer of image analysis solutions, today announced the results of a head-to-head study carried out at the University of Cambridge to demonstrate that the G:BOX Chemi IR⁶ can produce images of IR labelled Western blots up to 10 times faster than laser based scanning. 

The G:BOX Chemi IR⁶, which is Syngene's new multi-application CCD imaging system for analysing IR and fluorescently stained proteins, was tested against a laser based scanner. Both imagers were tested side-by-side in a comparison study at the University of Cambridge for analysing proteins on Western blots labelled with DyLight^® 680 and DyLight^® 800 dyes (Thermo Fisher Scientific). 

The results, detailed in Syngene's Application Note 62, show that using the G:BOX Chemi IR⁶ with Epi Red lighting and a 705nm filter, an image of DyLight 680 labelled bands can be captured in just 20 seconds. With Epi LED IR740 lighting and a LY800 filter, an image of the DyLight 800 labelled proteins can be generated by the G:BOX Chemi IR⁶ in two minutes. In comparison, the laser based scanner can take more than 10 times longer to image DyLight 680 and twice as long to image DyLight 800. The systems had comparable sensitivity, with both their limits of detection being 0.11µg. 

Lindsey Bunn, Syngene's Application Specialist explained: "With laser-based scanners imaging times are determined by scanning resolution and intensity setting, whereas using a G:BOX Chemi IR⁶, imaging times only depend on sensitivity. This is why we believed our CCD system would be faster than and just as accurate as a laser based system and are delighted that the results of the study have proved this."

Lindsey continued: "The added benefit with the G:BOX Chemi IR⁶ is the system can analyse all commercial fluorescent, chemiluminescent and visible dyes as well, making it a more cost-effective purchase. Researchers who need to rapidly produce images of multiplex labelled Westerns but whose labs don't have the budget for an expensive laser scanner should consider testing a G:BOX Chemi IR⁶ system today."

For more information visit www.syngene.com