Hercules, CA – January 9, 2010 – When paired with the Molecular Imager® Gel Doc™ XR+ or ChemiDoc™ XRS+ systems, both from Bio-Rad, the new Image Lab software provides an easy-to-use, fully automated image capture and analysis system that delivers high quality images.
Traditionally, a high degree of fine-tuning is necessary for the users of a gel documentation system to optimize image quality. Furthermore, algorithms that are normally used to automate analysis have not historically proven to be sufficiently robust for researchers, leaving them with little confidence in the generated results. Image Lab software changes how researchers can use their gel documentation systems by offering an easy-to-use, automated system that requires no special training to operate.
"Image acquisition and analysis should be simple, fast, and as automated as possible," said Michael Kissner, an Assistant Specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. "We have been truly impressed with the ease of use and seamless automation that Image Lab software offers. Its addition to our gel documentation system has resulted in excellent reliability and reproducibility in image quality."
Image Lab software optimizes image capture, analysis, and reporting in a single automated workflow. The software automatically calibrates the Gel Doc XR+ and ChemiDoc XRS+ systems at initial set up so when a sample is imaged for a given application, the picture is always in focus—at any sample height, at any zoom level, and in any user’s hands.
"By eliminating the guesswork of determining optimal camera and lighting settings, even novice users can use Image Lab to image with high confidence," said Ryan Short, Imaging Marketing Manager, Bio-Rad Laboratories.
An important aspect to optimizing images, allowing for reliable quantification, is a proprietary process called"flat fielding" that adjusts images for optical and illumination artifacts resulting from lens curvature and minor lighting variances. Once flat fielding is completed at initial set up, it can be consistently applied to every image capture for improved data quality and reproducibility. Flat fielding improves image uniformity by 45 percent for chemiluminescent applications and 95 percent for experiments using fluorescence.
Users can set up imaging protocols with the click of a mouse and the system will remember the entire workflow—from image capture to result—in a protocol file, removing the need to reset the imager each time a new gel or blot is loaded. Once saved, the protocols can be edited, re-saved, re-applied, and exchanged between users. This enables identical or similar experiments to be performed by different users and repeated accurately and reproducibly.
"Researchers can use personalized protocols to image new gels or blots using the exact same camera and lighting settings every time. This adds a new level of data quality and reproducibility that was previously unattainable," Short said.
Image Lab analysis tools create custom data reports and images that can be easily exported to various programs including Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. Users can opt to manually analyze data when needed. Image Lab is compatible with all current Mac and PC operating systems.
For more information about Image Lab software visit www.bio-rad.com/imaging.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb), has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years, manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. Bio-Rad is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The company employs over 6,500 people globally and had revenues exceeding $1.7 billion in 2008. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.
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NOTE TO THE EDITOR:
Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non U.S. markets. If you choose to review this item, your readers will receive the quickest response to their inquiries by emailing them to lsg.orders.us@bio-rad.com or by calling 1-800-424-6723.
For more information contact:
Ryan Short
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
800-876-3425 ext 3926
Ryan_Short@bio-rad.com
Ken Li
Chempetitive Group
312-997-2436
kli@chempetitive.com