Last checked at 1 May 2014 07:00
Scientific Digital Imaging Plc
PXi Touch being used in a new application by the University of Cambridge
Cambridge, UK: Scientific Digital Imaging (AIM: SDI, "SDI" or the "Company"), the AIM quoted group focused on the application of digital imaging technology to the needs of the scientific community confirms that its PXi Touch imaging system is being used in a new application by scientists at the UK's University of Cambridge to visualise multiplex fluorescent and chemiluminescent labelled proteins on the same Western blots. This is contributing to rapidly providing researchers there with more accurate and reproducible results.
Researchers in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge are using a PXi Touch multi-application imager to analyse proteins on Western blots stained with chemiluminescent and multiplex fluorescent dyes.
Dr Emily Taylor, Laboratory Manager in the Department of Pharmacology commented: "We want to perform multiplex fluorescent Westerns because we can use the same blot to probe for different proteins as we're looking at proteins ranging 30 kDa to 260 kDa and it is quicker and easier to use just one blot rather than looking at multiple blots for each protein. For this application, we assessed the PXi Touch alongside a laser based scanning system and chose the PXi Touch because the touch screen software is easy to use and the camera is very sensitive."
Dr Taylor continued: "Since we began using the PXi Touch system, we have discovered that the imaging capability is so good we can interchangeably use multiplex fluorescence and chemi dyes. We now use chemi to detect proteins expressed by our house keeping genes and fluorescence for the proteins of interest. We do this as fluorescence has a better linear range but chemi is more sensitive so we mix and match the two detection methods on the same blot and this is helping us to obtain greater accuracy and reproducibility of results."
Laura Sullivan, Divisional Manager of SDI's subsidiary Syngene stated: "We are excited to hear that our latest imaging technology is being utilised at such a prestigious institute for this novel mixed imaging application. Their research shows scientists that using a PXi Touch means they can work smarter to obtain optimum results, time after time from their Western blots."
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About Scientific Digital Imaging plc
Scientific Digital Imaging plc (SDI) is focused on the application of digital imaging technology to the needs of the scientific and technology community. Its principal subsidiary is Synoptics Limited, which designs and manufactures special-purpose instruments for use mainly in the life sciences, supplying customers in the academic, research and health sectors. Within Synoptics, the recently formed Synoptics Health division has launched the Synoptics Health ProReveal system. This patented system offers a highly sensitive fluorescence-based test to detect dirty surgical instruments in hospitals and aims to reduce incidences of cross contamination of patients. In addition, under the Atik brand, SDI designs and manufactures high-sensitivity cameras for both astronomical and life science applications. www.scientificdigitalimaging.com