Syngene, a manufacturer of image analysis solutions, announced a Syngene gel documentation system is being used at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA to image gels quickly and safely.
Researchers in the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT are regularly using a Syngene gel documentation system to accurately visualise, quantify and record images of DNA on 1D agarose gels fluorescently stained with SYBR Safe from Invitrogen.
Dr Natalie Kuldell, an Instructor in the Department of Biological Engineering, commented: “We wanted to be able to visualise gels stained with SYBR Safe because it is less hazardous than Ethidium bromide, as well as record the results. To do this we needed imaging equipment which was more advanced than the Polaroid camera we were using so in 2008 we installed a Syngene gel doc system.”
Dr Kuldell continued: “We now use the Syngene imager regularly to teach our students how to visualise and quantify DNA. They love it because they can set up and produce an image of their gels very quickly. Students can also conveniently upload their images to the web, which means we can compare results from year to year. I would recommend a Syngene gel doc system for use by students as it is robust and easy to use.”
Paula Maia, Syngene’s Product Specialist stated: “We are delighted to hear students at the MIT are utilising our gel documentation system to safely analyse their DNA. The findings of staff at the MIT that a Syngene system is simple to set up and can withstand a great deal of use, is an excellent testament to how well designed Syngene equipment is. Universities or academic institutes looking for a cost-effective and student-friendly gel documentation system should take a look at Syngene.”
Syngene