Digital Imaging for Western Blots: Why it’s Essential and What to Look for in a Digital Imaging System

25 Feb 2015

When most people think of imaging their Western blot, they think of going into a darkroom and exposing the blot to film to detect a chemiluminescent signal. The advent of digital imaging has transformed Western blot detection. This paper outlines how Western blotting has changed, and reviews the qualities to look for in a digital imager.

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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.BlottingDigital ImagingDigital imaging is a technique that captures images of biological and chemical samples in high resolution, often using advanced cameras and sensors. This technology is crucial in microscopy, diagnostics, and quality control. Explore digital imaging systems in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.