Introducing the iBright CL1000 & iBright FL1000 Imaging Systems

Stunningly easy western blot imaging

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Despite the rapid pace of technological advances in life science research, nucleic acid gels, protein gels, and western blots continue to be fundamental laboratory tools with the ability to move a project forward or push it in a whole new direction. The Invitrogen iBright Imaging Systems are high-performance instruments for capturing images and analyzing data from gels and blots. Designed with a streamlined intuitive interface and advanced automated features, the iBright systems are easy to use for researchers at all experience levels.

iBright CL1000 and iBright FL1000 Imaging Systems

Two iBright instruments are available: the iBright CL1000 system, for imaging and documenting chemiluminescent western blots and colorimetrically stained protein and nucleic acid gels, and the iBright FL1000 system (Figure 1), which features the same imaging modes as the iBright CL1000 system but also offers fluorescent gel and blot imaging capability using visible and near-IR excitation and emission channels (Table 1).

Advantages of the iBright Imaging Systems

• Powerful 9.1 megapixel cooled 16-bit CCD camera—for capturing crystal-clear images with robust imaging potential (Figure 2).
• Push-button optimized exposure with Invitrogen Smart Exposure technology—for rapid determination of optimal exposure times, minimizing the need to repeat exposures to get the desired signal.
• Advanced automated features—allowing hassle-free sample alignment, focus, and zoom, as well as automatic on-board data analysis for instantaneous lane and band identification and molecular weight marker overlay.
• Long-life green LED-based transilluminator—providing a light source that can effectively excite popular DNA dyes (e.g., ethidium bromide and Invitrogen SYBR Green dyes), without exposing users to harmful UV radiation.
• Cloud connectivity with Invitrogen iBright Analysis Software— enabling export and storage of data, as well as the ability to access, review, analyze, and share data through the web-based Thermo Fisher Cloud platform.
• Extensive service and support—from the on-site Invitrogen SmartStart orientation (included with every system) to our highly responsive technical and field support teams and comprehensive post-warranty service plans.

Table 1. Imaging modes of the iBright FL1000 and iBright CL1000 systems.

iBright FL1000 system for fluorescence applications

The iBright FL1000 Imaging System employs the same green LEDbased transilluminator as the iBright CL1000 Imaging System, as well as two high-quality long-life epi-LEDs for fluorescence imaging applications. The broad-spectrum white epi-LED can be used to excite most green-, red-, and far-red–fluorescent dyes, including antibody conjugates labeled with Invitrogen Alexa Fluor and Alexa Fluor Plus dyes, Thermo Scientific DyLight dyes, and Invitrogen WesternDot dyes. The second epi-LED emits longer-wavelength light and is optimized for near-IR fluorophores such as Alexa Fluor 790 and Alexa Fluor Plus 800 dyes, DyLight 800 dye, and WesternDot 800 dye.

Light from these LED sources, in conjunction with both excitation and emission filters, enables many possible reagent options for nucleic acid gel, protein gel, and western blot imaging applications. The iBright FL1000 model features five fluorescence channels, three in the visible fluorescence range and two in the near-IR fluorescence range (Table 2). Up to four channels can be multiplexed simultaneously when imaging a single western blot or set of four mini blots (Figure 3). Multiplex western blotting allows the study of multiple proteins in a single blot, while also providing more accurate comparisons of experimental data and controls. Smart Exposure technology further improves acquisition of multiplex fluorescence western blot data because its advanced auto-exposure functionality can help to optimize signal-to-noise ratios for each fluorescence channel separately.

Table 2. Filter sets on the iBright FL100 Imaging System.

See the iBright Imaging Systems for yourself

To learn more about the iBright FL1000 and iBright CL1000 Imaging Systems, download the iBright Imaging Systems brochure, which shows a variety of data acquired and analyzed using the iBright systems, a list of dyes and stains compatible with the iBright imaging modes, and complete instrument specifications. Find out how these high-performance instruments can enhance gel and western blot analysis in your laboratory.