Thermo Scientific E-Gel 4466611 User manual

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
E‑Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System
USER GUIDE
For visualization and documentation of gels
Catalog Numbers 4466611and 4466612
Publication Number MAN0004868
Revision A.0

Life Technologies Corporation | 5781 Van Allen Way | Carlsbad, CA 92008
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The information in this guide is subject to change without notice.
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ARISING FROM THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING YOUR USE OF IT.
Revision history: Pub. No. MAN0004868
Revision Date Description
A.0 24 June 2020 Rebranded, updated, and transferred to the CCMS.
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©2020 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved.

Contents
■CHAPTER 1 Product information .................................................. 6
Product description ............................................................. 6
Features ....................................................................... 6
Product contents ................................................................ 7
Upon receiving the device ................................................... 7
Types of E‑Gel™imager products ............................................. 7
Components ............................................................... 7
Accessory products ......................................................... 8
Description of parts ............................................................. 9
E‑Gel™Imager System ...................................................... 9
E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood ................................................ 10
E‑Gel™Imager Base Unit ................................................... 11
Colored emission filters ..................................................... 13
■CHAPTER 2 Methods ............................................................. 14
Minimum PC requirements ...................................................... 14
Installing the E‑Gel™imager gel documentation system ............................. 14
Install hardware ................................................................ 14
Install the E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood and Light Base ........................ 15
Using the E‑Gel™Imager gel documentation system ................................ 16
Set up the E‑Gel™Imager ................................................... 16
Launch the GelCapture Software ............................................ 18
Adjust image settings ...................................................... 18
Define region for image capture ............................................. 19
Capture and save image ................................................... 20
Maintenance .................................................................. 20
■CHAPTER 3 GelCapture software ................................................ 21
GelCapture software ........................................................... 21
Home screen .................................................................. 21
Live mode screen .............................................................. 22
Description of live mode control panel tools ....................................... 23
Edit mode screen .............................................................. 24
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‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 3

Description of edit mode control panel tools ....................................... 25
Description of menu based tools ................................................. 26
About the histogram ............................................................ 27
Perform extended detection ..................................................... 27
Correct overexposure ........................................................... 28
Apply auto-contrast ............................................................ 28
Invert an image ................................................................ 29
Apply pseudo colors ........................................................... 29
■APPENDIX A Troubleshooting .................................................... 30
■APPENDIX B Product specifications ............................................ 32
E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood .................................................... 32
E‑Gel™Imager Light Base (UV or Blue-Light) ...................................... 32
■APPENDIX C Software installation ............................................... 33
Getting started ................................................................ 33
Minimum PC requirements .................................................. 33
Software installation guidelines .............................................. 33
Install GelCapture Software ..................................................... 33
Windows™XP professional .................................................. 33
Windows™7 professional ................................................... 34
Installing the camera driver (Windows™7 pro) ..................................... 35
Installing the camera driver (Windows™7 professional) ......................... 35
■APPENDIX D The E‑Gel™Imager Band Excision Kit ........................... 42
Using the E‑Gel™Imager Band Excision Kit ........................................ 42
Excise a band from the gel .................................................. 44
■APPENDIX E The White Light Converter ........................................ 45
Using the White Light Converter ................................................. 45
View a gel with the white light converter ...................................... 45
■APPENDIX F Related products ................................................... 47
Accessory products ............................................................ 47
E‑Gel™agarose gels and DNA ladders ............................................ 48
Staining and detection .......................................................... 48
Contents
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‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide

■APPENDIX G Explanation of symbols ........................................... 49
■APPENDIX H Products no longer supported .................................... 50
The E‑Gel™Imager iBase™Light Diuser .......................................... 50
E‑Gel™Imager Adaptor Base ................................................ 50
About multiple image acquisition ............................................ 51
Multiple image acquisition live mode screen ................................... 51
Multiple image acquisition edit screen ........................................ 52
Perform multiple image acquisition ........................................... 53
Additional multiple image acquisition functions ................................ 55
Using the E‑Gel™imager light base with E‑Gel™iBase™device ....................... 56
Hardware configuration ..................................................... 56
Using the E‑Gel™Imager Adaptor Base ........................................... 57
Install hardware ........................................................... 57
Hardware configuration ..................................................... 59
The E‑Gel™Imager iBase™Light Diuser .......................................... 61
Using the E‑Gel™Imager iBase™Light Diuser ................................ 61
■APPENDIX I Safety ................................................................ 63
Safety features ................................................................ 63
Safety requirements ............................................................ 63
Chemical safety ................................................................ 64
Biological hazard safety ......................................................... 65
■Documentation and support ....................................................... 66
Customer and technical support ................................................. 66
Limited product warranty ........................................................ 66
Contents
E ‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 5

Product information
Product description
The E‑Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System is a benchtop gel imaging system that
supports both fluorescent and colorimetric (visible dye) visualization applications. The
system consists of a high-resolution camera for capturing images, and a choice of
interchangeable bases to provide transillumination.
•The E‑Gel™Imager UV Light Base is used to visualize ethidium bromide stained
gels (including E‑Gel™precast agarose gels).
•The E‑Gel™Imager Blue Light Base is used to visualize gels stained with SYBR™
dyes (e.g., SYBR™Safe), including E‑Gel™precast agarose gels with SYBR Safe
and E-Gel EX precast agarose gels..
The system is controlled by the GelCapture Software application (for PC running
Windows™XP, Windows™7, or Windows™10 32-bit or 64-bit operating systems) and
allows adjustment of exposure, sensitivity, and brightness. Captured images are
exported to GelQuant Express Software for data analysis.
Features
•Small footprint to conserve benchtop space.
•Base units with blue-light transillumination avoid the risks associated with UV
transillumination.
•Sensors permit illumination only when the E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood is
properly positioned over the E‑Gel™Imager Light Base unit.
•Extended detection feature enables viewing precise images of high and low
band intensity by expanding the dynamic range of the image.
•Compatible with a wide range of fluorescent and visible dyes (e.g. Qdot™,
SYBR™Safe, ethidium bromide).
•Compatible with dierent gel formats including precast gels (e.g. E‑Gel™Agarose
Gels, NuPAGE™Novex™Bis-Tris Gels) and pour-it-yourself gels (agarose, or
polyacrylamide).
•Rapid acquisition of high resolution images.
•Real-time sample imaging allowing detailed sample viewing.
•Eliminates the need for film or processing chemicals.
•Direct camera to PC image transfer prevents loss of resolution common to
systems employing frame-grabber cards to capture data from video signals.
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Product contents
Upon receiving the device
Examine the unit carefully for any damage incurred during transit. Any damage claims
must be filed with the carrier. The warranty does not cover in-transit damage.
Types of E‑Gel™imager products
The E‑Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System consists of an E‑Gel™Imager Camera
Hood Kit, and one of three E‑Gel™Imager Light Base Kits depending upon the
product that was purchased.
Product Catalog No.
E‑Gel™Imager with E‑Gel™Imager UV Light Base 4466611
E‑Gel™Imager with E‑Gel™Imager Blue Light Base 4466612
Components
The contents of the E‑Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System are listed in the
following table.
Component Cat. No.
4466611
Cat. No.
4466612
E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood Kit
Camera Hood ✓ ✓
Camera Hood USB 2.0 cable ✓ ✓
E‑Gel™Imager Light Diuser ✓ ✓
E‑Gel™Imager Universal Filter ✓ ✓
GelCapture Imaging Software and GelQuant Express
Quantitation Software ✓ ✓
GelQuant Express Software Activation Dongle ✓ ✓
Quick Reference Card ✓ ✓
E‑Gel™Imager UV Light Base Kit
E‑Gel™Imager UV Light Base ✓—
Universal 12 V Power Cord ✓—
Chapter 1 Product information
Product contents 1
E ‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 7

(continued)
Component Cat. No.
4466611
Cat. No.
4466612
E‑Gel™Imager Blue Light Base Kit
E‑Gel™Imager Blue Light Base — ✓
Universal 12 V Power Cord — ✓
Accessory products
Accessory products that can be purchased for use with the E‑Gel™Imager system
are listed in the following section:
E‑Gel™imager band excision kit
Components Cat. No. Quantity
E‑Gel™Imager Band Excision Kit 4466605 1
E‑Gel™imager universal filter
Components Cat. No. Quantity
E‑Gel™Imager Universal Filter 4466606 1
E‑Gel™imager Qdot™625 filter
Components Cat. No. Quantity
E‑Gel™Imager Qdot™625 Filter 4466607 1
E‑Gel™imager UV/SYBR™filter
Components Cat. No. Quantity
E‑Gel™Imager UV/SYBR™Filter 4466608 1
GelQuant express software activation dongle
Components Cat. No. Quantity
GelQuant Express Software Activation
Dongle
4466610 1
Chapter 1 Product information
Product contents
1
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Description of parts
E‑Gel™Imager System
The E‑Gel™Imager is a compact gel imaging tool standing 43.7 cm in height. It
consists of the E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood (35.6 cm in height), which fits on top of
a Base unit (11.9 cm in height). The base unit provides transillumination for
visualization of the gel.
Front view – camera hood on light base Rear view – camera hood on light base
1
3
4
1Camera hood ON/OFF power switch
2USB port
3Emission filter
4Light base ON/OFF power switch
5Light base power port
6iBase power cable port
2
3
6
5
Chapter 1 Product information
Description of parts 1
E ‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 9

E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood
The camera hood contains the camera and emission filter. It must be connected to a
computer installed with the GelCapture Software in order to operate. Image settings
can be adjusted using the software, or manually using the dials on the camera hood.
1
2
3
5
4
1ON/OFF power switch
2Manual iris dial
3Manual focus dial
4Filter tray
5Emission filter
Chapter 1 Product information
Description of parts
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10 E
‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide

E‑Gel™Imager Base Unit
Two types of E‑Gel™Imager Base are available for visualizing dierent types of gel
stain, and for dierent applications. There is a bordered wall to prevent liquid spills,
and a wall breach for easy removal of gels from the surface of the light base. The
dimensions of each E‑Gel™Imager Base are 30.5 cm (length) × 21 cm (width).
E‑Gel™Imager Blue Light Base
The E‑Gel™Imager Blue Light Base is used to visualize gels stained with SYBR™
dyes. This light base can be used to visualize E‑Gel™pre-cast agarose gels. An
automatic shut-o switch turns o the transilluminator after 20 minutes.
1
3
2
4
1Glass plate
2Bordered wall
3Power switch
4Wall breech
Chapter 1 Product information
Description of parts 1
E ‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 11

E‑Gel™Imager UV Light Base
The E‑Gel™Imager UV Light Base is used to visualize ethidium bromide stained gels.
This light base can be used to visualize E‑Gel™precast agarose gels. An automatic
shut-o switch turns o the transilluminator after 10 minutes.
1
3
4
2
1Glass plate
2Bordered wall
3Power switch
4Wall breech
Chapter 1 Product information
Description of parts
1
12 E
‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide

Colored emission filters
Three colored emission filters are available with the E‑Gel™Imager System to provide
better definition when viewing specific sample types. Place the type of filter
appropriate for the type of stain being used into the filter tray when visualizing a gel
through the camera.
E‑Gel™Imager Universal Filter
The E‑Gel™Imager Universal Filter is an orange filter for general use. Applications
include ethidium bromide stained gels that are used with UV transillumination, or
SYBR™dyes with blue-light transillumination.
E‑Gel™Imager UV/SYBR™Filter
E‑Gel™Imager UV/SYBR™Filter is a green filter for visualizing SYBR™dyes with UV
transillumination.
E‑Gel™Imager Qdot™625 Filter
E‑Gel™Imager Qdot™625 Filter is a red filter for visualizing quantum dots with
emission spectra of ~625 nm.
Chapter 1 Product information
Description of parts 1
E ‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 13

Methods
Minimum PC requirements
In order to install and operate both the E‑Gel™Imager and GelCapture Software, your
PC must meet the following minimum requirements:
•Intel™Core™2 Duo processor, 1.8 GHz.
•Minimum 1 GB RAM of memory (2 GB recommended).
•Windows™7 Professional (English version), OR 32-bit or 64-bit Windows™10
operating systems.
•Minimum monitor resolution of 1024 × 768 pixels.
•A free USB 2.0 port (Not compatible with USB 1.0 or 1.1).
Installing the E‑Gel™imager gel documentation system
The installation procedure for the E‑Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System can be
completed in four steps as outlined below:
Install hardware
E‑Gel™Imager Light Base See page 14
Install GelCapture Software
Windows™7 Professional See page 34
Windows™10 Professional Install GelCapture from the CD
Install GelQuant Express Software
GelQuant Express Software See GelQuant Express Manual
Install hardware
Install the hardware for the E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood and E‑Gel™Imager Light
Base as described in the following section.
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Install the E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood and Light Base
1. Place the E‑Gel™Imager Light Base on a flat surface.
2. Plug the Universal 12 V power cord into the light base power port, and connect
the wall plug to an electrical socket.
3. Plug the USB 2.0 cable into the camera USB port of the camera hood and
connect the other end into the USB 2.0 port of your computer.
1
2 3
4
5
6
1E‑Gel™Imager Light Base
2Universal 12 V power cord
3Electrical socket
4E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood
5USB 2.0 cable
6Computer
Chapter 2 Methods
Install hardware 2
E ‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 15

Using the E‑Gel™Imager gel documentation system
After the software and hardware for the E‑Gel™Imager system is set up, the system is
ready for use. Read the following chapter for detailed explanations on how to operate
the system. For your convenience, the system is provided with a Quick Reference
Guide that includes the operating instructions.
Set up the E‑Gel™Imager
1. Ensure that the type of filter in the filter tray is appropriate for the type of stain
being used in your gel sample. If the filter does not provide the best image
possible, it may be necessary to test imaging with another type of filter (see
“Colored emission filters” on page 13 for more information).
2. Remove the E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood from the E‑Gel™Imager Base.
3. Place the gel in the center of the E‑Gel™Imager Base.
Chapter 2 Methods
Using the E
‑ Gel™Imager gel documentation system
2
16 E
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4. Place the E‑Gel™Imager Camera Hood on top of the E‑Gel™Imager Base.
5. Turn the camera on ( ).
6. Turn the E‑Gel™Imager Base on ( ).
7. When the camera and transilluminator are turned on, the image of the gel is
displayed on the Live mode screen in real time.
Chapter 2 Methods
Using the E
‑ Gel™Imager gel documentation system 2
E ‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 17

Launch the GelCapture Software
1. Launch the GelCapture Software from your PC desktop.
2. Select the type of E‑Gel™Imager Light Base being used to provide
transillumination from the Home screen (see page 21). Click Select to indicate
the hardware configuration being used.
Adjust image settings
1. Adjust the manual focus and iris dials on the camera hood to match the image of
Iris and focus settings on the Live mode screen (see page 22).
The recommended settings is automatically determined based on the type of
E‑Gel™Imager Base and hardware configuration selected.
2. Perform fine adjustment of the image to attain an image that is clear, sharp, and
bright using either the minus or plus buttons, or sliding the gauges for each
setting (see page 22).
•Exposure time can be set from 0.14–1.0 seconds. Increased exposure
allows weaker signals that are not visible at a lower exposure time to be
visible.
•Sensitivity adjusts the degree of signal detection. The maximum exposure
time is automatically updated in conjunction with the sensitivity setting.
•Brightness adjusts the peak luminescence levels of the image.
3. If bands of both high and low intensity exist in the gel, perform extended
detection (see “Perform extended detection” on page 27).
Chapter 2 Methods
Using the E
‑ Gel™Imager gel documentation system
2
18 E
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Define region for image capture
In the Live mode screen you can save, copy, or view histograms in the selected area.
1. Select Area of interest ( ) to define the region of the gel that you wish to
image.
2. A green rectangular frame pops up around the image. Drag the edges of the
green rectangle with your cursor to select your area of interest (AOI).
Chapter 2 Methods
Using the E ‑ Gel™Imager gel documentation system 2
E ‑ Gel™Imager Gel Documentation System User Guide 19

Capture and save image
1. Right click in the green AOI frame to display a menu with the AOI options.
Note: The options in the menu dier depending on whether you are looking at a
real-time image, or working on a previously saved image.
2. (Optional) Click Copy to copy the image to the clipboard to paste elsewhere.
3. (Optional) Click Crop to crop the image to show only the AOI.
Click Un crop to restore the image.
4. Click Save to capture the image of your gel in TIFF format.
5. To save an image in BMP or JPEG format, click Export and select BMP or
JPEG.
6. Browse to the location where you want the image to be saved, and enter a name
for the image, then click Save.
Maintenance
To keep the E‑Gel™Imager in good working order, observe the following guidelines:
•The glass plate of the E‑Gel™Imager Light Base must be cleaned every time a
sample is removed. Use a soft non-abrasive, lint-free cloth.
•To clean the E‑Gel™Imager and Light Base surface, use a cloth dampened with
water.
•Do not operate while wearing gloves with talcum.
•Calibrate the camera once a year, as described in the Camera Calibration
section.
Note: Turn the power OFF before any maintenance is performed on this
equipment.
Chapter 2 Methods
Maintenance
2
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