UVP GelStudio PLUS Touch Gel Imaging System
| Brand | Analytik Jena |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer | UVP (a brand of Analytik Jena) |
| Model | UVP GelStudio PLUS Touch |
| Detection Modes | UV transillumination (302 nm), White light reflection, RGB fluorescence excitation (470/530/630 nm), Optional eLite full-spectrum LED excitation (365–740 nm) |
| Camera | Scientific-grade cooled CCD sensor with 16-bit digitization |
| Lens | Motorized f/1.4 macro lens with auto-focus and zoom |
| Safety | Interlocked UV chamber with automatic lamp shutoff, CE/UL certified |
| Compliance | Meets ISO 9001 manufacturing standards |
Overview
The UVP GelStudio PLUS Touch Gel Imaging System is a high-performance, fully integrated digital imaging platform engineered for quantitative analysis of nucleic acid and protein gels, blots, membranes, microplates, autoradiographs, and chemiluminescent or fluorescent samples. Built upon UVP’s legacy in UV and optical detection technologies—and now part of the Analytik Jena portfolio—the system employs a scientific-grade, thermoelectrically cooled CCD camera (16-bit dynamic range) coupled with a motorized, high-aperture f/1.4 macro lens to deliver exceptional signal-to-noise ratio, spatial resolution, and photometric linearity across diverse detection modalities. Its core architecture follows the principles of controlled illumination geometry, calibrated photon capture, and traceable intensity quantification—enabling reproducible, publication-ready data acquisition in academic, clinical, and industrial life science laboratories.
Key Features
- Multi-modal illumination architecture: Integrated 302 nm UV transilluminator with uniform field homogeneity (>95%), white-light reflective stage for Coomassie- and silver-stained gels, and factory-aligned RGB LED excitation sources (470 nm blue, 530 nm green, 630 nm red) optimized for common fluorescent dyes including SYBR® Safe, SYBR® Gold, Ethidium Bromide, and Alexa Fluor® conjugates.
- Optional eLite full-spectrum excitation: Field-upgradable solid-state light engine covering 365–740 nm in 1 nm increments; enables spectral unmixing for multiplexed Western blotting, NIR probe detection, and plant or small-animal tissue fluorescence screening without filter wheels.
- Automated optical calibration: Motorized lens with real-time auto-focus, variable zoom (0.7–4.5×), and programmable aperture control ensures consistent magnification and depth-of-field across sample types—from mini-gels to large-format 2D gels and 96-well plates.
- Interlocked safety enclosure: UV-shielded chamber with door-activated cutoff circuitry, certified to IEC 61010-1 and UL 61010-1; includes visible-status LEDs and audible feedback during UV activation.
- Touch-optimized user interface: 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen running embedded Linux OS; supports gesture-based region-of-interest (ROI) selection, live histogram adjustment, and one-touch protocol recall.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The GelStudio PLUS Touch accommodates standard electrophoresis formats (e.g., 10 × 10 cm to 25 × 20 cm gels), nitrocellulose/PVDF membranes, X-ray film, phosphorimager screens, microtiter plates (6–384-well), and radiographic films. It supports quantitative densitometry per ASTM E2927-21 (Standard Practice for Densitometric Analysis of Electrophoretic Gels) and is compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant software configurations when paired with optional audit-trail and electronic-signature modules. Instrument qualification documentation—including IQ/OQ templates and performance verification checklists—is provided to support GLP and GMP-regulated environments.
Software & Data Management
Powered by VisionWorks LS software (v7.5+), the system delivers comprehensive image acquisition, processing, and reporting capabilities. Features include background subtraction algorithms (rolling ball, polynomial), band/spot detection with adaptive thresholding, molecular weight and intensity calibration curves, multi-gel normalization, and export to TIFF, PNG, PDF, and CSV formats. Raw image data are stored with embedded EXIF metadata (exposure time, gain, lens position, illumination mode), ensuring full traceability. Network-enabled deployment allows centralized instrument management, role-based user permissions, and integration with LIMS via HL7 or RESTful API extensions.
Applications
- Quantitative analysis of DNA/RNA gels stained with intercalating dyes (e.g., EtBr, SYBR® Green I/II, GelRed™)
- Densitometric evaluation of SDS-PAGE and 2D gels stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue, Silver Nitrate, or Copper Chelation
- Multiplex Western blot imaging using near-infrared (NIR) and visible fluorescent secondary antibodies
- Colony and plaque counting with adjustable circularity and size filters
- Microplate-based assays (e.g., GFP expression, luciferase activity) with well-by-well intensity mapping
- Chemiluminescent detection of HRP- and AP-conjugated probes without film
- Radioautography digitization with phosphor screen compatibility and decay correction
FAQ
Does the GelStudio PLUS Touch support chemiluminescence detection?
Yes—via long-exposure low-noise CCD acquisition with optional high-gain mode; no external intensifiers or film required.
Can I perform spectral unmixing with the RGB光源 alone?
No—spectral unmixing requires the optional eLite full-spectrum excitation source and corresponding multi-channel acquisition protocol.
Is the system validated for regulatory submissions?
The hardware meets ISO 9001 manufacturing requirements; software validation packages (including IQ/OQ/PQ protocols and 21 CFR Part 11 configuration guides) are available upon request.
What is the maximum gel size supported?
Up to 25 × 20 cm with full-frame illumination uniformity and auto-focus coverage.
How is data integrity ensured during acquisition?
All images are saved with immutable metadata, including timestamp, operator ID, exposure parameters, and calibration checksums—enabling full forensic traceability per ALCOA+ principles.
