Amersham™ Typhoon™ Laser Scanners Deliver Sensitive Multimode Biomolecular Imaging

29 Sept 2016
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Product news

Amersham™ Typhoon™ biomolecular imagers are the next generation range of Typhoon FLA scanners from GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business. Four-instruments-in-one, the imagers offer versatile imaging and precise quantitation of fluorescent, color-stained, and radiolabeled biomolecules like proteins and nucleic acids. With sensitive detection down to 3 pg of protein, a combination of phosphor imaging, red, green & blue (RGB) fluorescence, near-IR fluorescence (NIR) and OD measurement are delivered in a single instrument.

Typhoon's five-laser configuration option and advanced photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) deliver a greater degree of fluorescent multiplexed detection1, and its broad linear dynamic range provides the enhanced sensitivity and accuracy required to detect subtle differences in protein levels2. Phosphor imaging allows for radiolabeled target detection with high sensitivity.

Typhoon can image gels, membranes, multi-well plates, dishes, and tissue sections, and its modular configuration allows detection modalities, stages, detectors and filters to be selected and updated as required.

The Amersham Typhoon Laser Scanner offers:

  • Versatility: Image multifluorescent-, radioisotope-labeled, and stained samples on gels, membranes, microplates, culture dishes, and tissue sections
  • High sensitivity: Detect signals as low as 3 pg of protein, and differences across a dynamic range greater than 5 orders of magnitude
  • High resolution: Pixel resolution as low as 10 µm, with a broad linear signal response
  • Visible and near-infrared fluorescence imaging: Use visible or NIR excitation to image a wide variety of fluorophores
  • Sample throughput: Large 40 x 46 cm scanning area allows for scanning of 20 gels or blots at the same time
  • Ease-of-use: Auto- and semi auto-scan functions, automatic filter recognition, and modular access for multiuser environments.

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ElectrophoresisElectrophoresis equipment is used to separate mixtures of protein, DNA or RNA, based on their electric charge, size and other physical characteristics, by passing them through a medium such as a polyacrylamide gel, an agarose gel or a capillary tube. Electrophoresis equipment includes horizontal and vertical gel electrophoresis chambers, isoelectric focusing systems, 2D electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis instruments. Precast gels with a gradient can be used or gels can be hand cast. Samples are run alongside ladders or markers to identify the approximate size of a molecule. Separated proteins and nucleic acids in the gel can be stained or probed with fluorescent markers and then imaged and detected using gel documentation instruments, transilluminators, densitometers and scanners. Find the best electrophoresis equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Western BlottingWestern blotting equipment is used to transfer and identify specific proteins within a sample, reveal protein modifications, as well as give a semi-quantitative estimation of their concentration. Western blotting equipment includes all apparatus necessary to transfer proteins from gel to membrane and subsequent processing steps. Protein transfer can be performed by electroblotting with wet, semi-dry and dry transfer systems onto nitrocellulose and PVDF membranes. Blocking, washing and labeling of membranes follows, involving buffers, blocking reagents, blotting / incubation trays, labeling reagents, immunoblotting assays, antibodies and conjugates. Automated equipment for these steps is available to accelerate your lab workflow. Finally, detection and imaging of proteins can be conducted using gel documentation and imaging systems. Find the best western blotting equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Gel Doc / Image AnalysisGel documentation (gel doc) or gel imaging systems are used for the analysis of proteins, antibodies and nucleic acid immobilized in polyacrylamide or agarose gels, membranes or microarrays. Explore a range of a gel imaging systems, densitometers, scanners, transilluminators or UV lamp + CCD cameras for your image analysis solutions. Colorimetric, fluorescent and/or radioisotopic samples can be visualized and documented for further analysis. See gel doc / Image analysis software for quantitative 1D and 2D analysis of your samples. Find the best gel doc / image analysis products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.FluorescenceThe emission of fluorescence occurs when a photon of energy is supplied to a fluorescent chemical compound by an external source, causing it to become excited. Fluorescence can be detected and measured for different purposes using microplate readers, fluorescence microscopes, fluorescence scanners, and flow cytometers.Gel ImagingGel imaging captures high-resolution images of electrophoresis gels to analyze DNA, RNA, and proteins. Essential in molecular biology, this technique helps visualize results for accurate quantification and documentation. Discover top imaging systems and compare user-reviewed options in our directory.Bioimaging