Jiapeng ZF-1 UV Transilluminator and Gel Cutter

Overview

The Jiapeng ZF-1 UV Transilluminator and Gel Cutter is a compact, darkroom-style instrument engineered for safe, efficient visualization, documentation, and excision of nucleic acid bands in agarose or polyacrylamide gels following electrophoretic separation. It operates on the principle of ultraviolet-induced fluorescence: ethidium bromide (EtBr), SYBR® Safe, GelRed®, and other DNA-intercalating dyes absorb UV light—primarily at 302 nm—and re-emit visible orange-red fluorescence, enabling rapid band detection. Dual-mode illumination supports both transmission (302 nm) for gel slab analysis and reflective UV (254 nm and 365 nm) for TLC plates, thin-layer chromatography, or fluorescent protein visualization. Unlike open-bench UV boxes, the ZF-1’s enclosed darkroom architecture minimizes ambient light interference and operator UV exposure, while its integrated observation window—optically filtered to block >99% of incident UV radiation—permits real-time sample assessment without opening the chamber.

Key Features

• Stable, uniform 302 nm transillumination via eight 8 W UV lamps with 200 × 200 mm quartz-filtered output area—engineered to meet JJF 1936–2021 intensity uniformity requirements.
• Dual reflective UV modes (254 nm and 365 nm) for broad-spectrum applications including UV-active compound detection, protein visualization (e.g., tryptophan fluorescence), and TLC plate analysis.
• Integrated DSLR camera mount and rigid optical support frame—compatible with standard Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm SLR/mirrorless systems for reproducible documentation under consistent geometry and exposure conditions.
• Patented UV-shielded observation window (ZL2012205175136, ZL201920792756.2) enabling continuous visual monitoring during irradiation without compromising safety or workflow continuity.
• Optimized ergonomics: side-mounted sliding access ports allow gloved hand entry for precise gel excision using the included stainless-steel cutting tool (one handle + four interchangeable blades).
• No white-light panel—designed exclusively for UV-dependent workflows to eliminate spectral cross-talk and maximize signal-to-noise ratio in fluorescence-based detection.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZF-1 accommodates standard horizontal electrophoresis gels (up to 200 × 200 mm), TLC silica plates, and nitrocellulose membranes stained with UV-compatible dyes. It supports routine QC protocols aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation requirements for nucleic acid analysis. While not certified to IEC 61010-1 for full medical device classification, its design adheres to key safety provisions of EN 62471 (Photobiological Safety of Lamps) for UV-A/UV-B hazard mitigation. The instrument complies with JJF 1936–2021—the national metrological verification regulation governing UV analyzer performance, including spatial intensity uniformity, spectral purity, and radiometric stability. As a contributing enterprise to this standard’s drafting, Jiapeng ensures traceable calibration methodology and documented verification procedures suitable for GLP-compliant environments.

Software & Data Management

The ZF-1 is a hardware-only platform: it does not include proprietary imaging software or embedded processing units. Instead, it functions as a calibrated illumination source compatible with third-party image acquisition and analysis tools—including Image Lab™ (Bio-Rad), Quantity One® (Bio-Rad), GelAnalyzer, Fiji/ImageJ, and commercial ELN systems. All camera capture settings (exposure time, ISO, aperture) are fully user-controlled, supporting audit-ready metadata logging when paired with compliant DSLR firmware. No data storage, network connectivity, or electronic signature functionality is present; therefore, it requires no FDA 21 CFR Part 11 validation. For regulated labs, integration into validated imaging workflows must be confirmed per site-specific IQ/OQ protocols.

Applications

• Post-electrophoresis visualization and quantitative band estimation of DNA/RNA fragments stained with EtBr, SYBR Gold, or similar intercalators.
• PCR product verification, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiling, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.
• DNA fingerprinting, plasmid screening, and cloning vector verification in molecular biology core facilities.
• Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) spot detection for small-molecule synthesis and natural product isolation.
• UV-excitable protein visualization (e.g., GFP variants under 365 nm) and native tryptophan fluorescence in purified samples.
• Educational laboratory instruction in genetics, biochemistry, and biotechnology curricula where cost-effective, robust UV visualization is required.

FAQ

Does the ZF-1 support adjustable UV intensity?
No—the UV output is fixed at nominal intensity per lamp configuration and complies with JJF 1936–2021 verification thresholds. Intensity modulation is not implemented.
Can the ZF-1 be used with SYBR® Safe or GelRed® dyes?
Yes—both dyes exhibit strong excitation maxima near 302 nm and are fully compatible with the transillumination mode.
Is the observation window certified for UV protection?
Yes—the acrylic window incorporates a multi-layer interference filter meeting >99% attenuation across 200–400 nm, verified per GB/T 26180–2010 (Personal Eye Protection Standards).
What camera models are officially supported?
No specific models are certified; however, mechanical compatibility has been confirmed with Canon EOS R-series, Nikon Z-series, Sony Alpha a6x00/a7x00, and Fujifilm X-T series bodies using standard T-mount adapters.
Does the unit include a timer or automatic shut-off?
No—operation is manually controlled via front-panel toggle switch. Users are advised to adhere to institutional UV exposure limits (e.g., ACGIH TLV® of 3.0 mJ/cm² per 8-hour shift for 302 nm).