Low Cost Gel Analysis

Gel documentation is a broad term, ranging from a $300 film camera to a $15,000 complete gel-analysis station. We will focus here on the essential parts needed to assemble an entry level low-light gel image acquisition, computer archive, and analysis system. This consists of an illuminator, a camera, a means to generate a digital signal, analysis software, a computer archive, and finally a printer. Earlier systems consisted of a Polaroid camera with a resulting photograph, but without the digital signal required for the computer. These images can be scanned or the system adapted to digital signal output for the cost of a camera/lens with digital signal output, plus possibly the cost of a new filter for some gel applications. A new system can be assembled for under $2500, consisting of the camera with digital signal, lens, filter, and analysis software. Illuminators and computers are often present in the lab, and hoods or copy stands used for mounting the camera system are sometimes available or easily adapted from existing lab materials. Video printers cost $1300, but recent low-cost ink jet printers can be used for under $200. Digital consumer cameras will soon allow further cost reductions as digital camera performance and ease-of-use approach current camera systems.