Phosphorimaging
Phosphor Imaging
The BioRad FX phosphor imaging machine is capable of measuring radioisotope emission, chemiluminescence and fluorescence. Phosphor imaging is 10x more sensitive than film and has a much greater range of response. Samples can be read up to 50 mM resolution and quantitated several ways. The software is user friendly and can export your data into Excel files.
BIORAD FX imager
The machine has the capacity to scan 96-well plates and shallow (7mm thick) plates in addition to flat gels and blots. The machine can read most commercial type of storage phosphor screens, fluorescent material, chemiluminescence, as well as exposed X-ray film and stained gels. There is a nominal hourly charge for use of the Phosphor imager and a minimum charge of ½ hour. These fees are used to cover maintenance and upgrade costs of the instrument. In addition, there is a charge per color print after the first two.Data is gathered using Bio-Rad’s software Quantity One.
Quantity One Software
The Quantity One software is a powerful, flexible package for imagining and analyzing blots (Northern, Southern, Western, dots, etc.), 1-D electrophoresis, and colonies. It can image and analyze a variety of data including radioactive, chemiluminescent, fluorescent and color-stained samples. Images can be magnified, annotated, rotated, resized. All data collected from the image can be quickly and accurately quantitated. In addition, lane based functions can be used to calculate molecular weights, isoelectric points, Rf values, etc. The software can measure total and average quantities, determine relative & actual amounts of protein, and count colonies on a Petri dish.A basic version of the software can be download to your own computer so that you can analyze the data in the comfort of your own lab. Your data can be exported to Excel files, or simply copied to a jumpstick memory card and taken with you.
2-D Software Package
Syngene's Dymension 2D software is available for use. The software can be downloaded on your computer and a USB key may be checked out. The cost for use of the key is $5.00/day.
Your Responsibilities:
Screens
Each laboratory will provide its own Phosphor (K) screens. Fluorescent probes are read directly and do not require a phosphor screen. Phosphor screens are available to be rented through the Core Facility. If you are interested in purchasing your own phosphor screen, we can obtain a discounted rate for you. Contact us for details.
Course
All users must have completed the facility-run phosphor imager training program prior to any use of the phosphor imager. There will be a ~2-hour training program offered twice a semester (fall, spring, summer). This training course will demonstrate all aspects of phosphor imager use. Additional advanced training is available.