FastGene® Blue/Green LED XL-Transilluminator: Universal Large-Format Imaging
The FastGene® Blue/Green LED XL-Transilluminator is a high-performance imaging solution designed to address the versatility and safety requirements of busy molecular biology laboratories. While standard illuminators often limit researchers to small gel formats and hazardous UV wavelengths, this XL model offers a spacious viewing platform without the health risks associated with ultraviolet radiation. It is the ideal standalone unit for excising bands from large-format agarose gels, yet it also serves as the powerful excitation engine at the heart of the complete FastGene® FAS-X Gel Documentation System.
Powered by next-generation Blue/Green LED technology, this instrument emits a broad spectrum of light from 470 nm to 520 nm. Unlike standard blue LEDs that only excite green dyes, this unique range is optimised to excite a universal library of nucleic acid stains. It delivers high-intensity signals for safe green dyes like Midori Green and SYBR™ Safe, while also exciting red dyes such as Ethidium Bromide and GelRed™ via their secondary absorption peaks. This flexibility ensures that laboratories can transition to safer workflows or maintain legacy protocols using a single, robust device.
Key Benefits:
- Universal Compatibility: One illuminator for all dyes. The unique 470nm–520nm emission spectrum effectively excites both green and red fluorescent dyes, offering superior flexibility compared to single-wavelength blue LED units.
- XL Viewing Area: High-throughput capacity. Designed with a spacious illuminated surface, this unit easily accommodates large midi/maxi gels or multiple mini-gels, streamlining the excision process.
- Sample Integrity: Zero DNA damage. The LED technology prevents the photon-induced nicking and cross-linking caused by UV light, ensuring maximum cloning efficiency and transformation rates downstream.
- User Safety: No UV protection needed. Removes the risk of skin and eye damage associated with UV exposure, eliminating the need for hazardous area signage and uncomfortable protective gear.
Technical Insights
The FastGene® Blue/Green LED technology represents a hybrid approach to gel documentation. By extending the emission into the green spectrum (up to 520nm), the transilluminator engages the secondary excitation peaks of red dyes that standard blue LEDs miss. This results in high-intensity bands against a dark background for virtually any fluorophore, providing a “one-size-fits-all” solution for shared laboratory environments.
Figure 2: Optimised Excitation Spectra
This absorption spectrum graph illustrates why Blue/Green LED technology is superior for diverse DNA staining protocols. Midori Green Advance and Direct stains (green curves) show strong excitation peaks around 490nm, perfectly matching the Blue/Green LED output (approx. 500nm). Crucially, Ethidium Bromide (red curve), while strongly excited by hazardous UV (~300nm), possesses a secondary excitation peak near 510nm. The Blue/Green LED light source overlaps with this secondary peak, allowing for effective visualisation of EtBr without the use of damaging UV light.
Figure 3: Superior Signal Intensity compared to standard Blue LED
Visualisation of Midori Green Xtra DNA Stain using different LED light sources. The FastGene® Blue/Green LED technology (left) delivers significantly superior brightness and a better signal-to-noise ratio compared to standard Blue LED illumination (right), ensuring even faint bands are detected.
Optimise Your Safety Workflow: The Blue/Green LED technology is perfectly matched to the excitation peaks of the Midori Green family. For the safest and most sensitive results, we recommend pairing this illuminator with:
- Midori Green Advance (In-gel or post-staining)
- Midori Green Direct (Add directly to the sample)
- Midori Green Xtra (Ultra-sensitive for high-resolution imaging)
Specifications
- Wavelength: 470 nm – 520 nm (Blue/Green LED)
- Unit Dimensions: 320 mm x 320 mm x 120 mm
- Viewing Area: XL Format (approx. 26 x 21 cm illuminated area)
- Light Source: High-Performance Blue/Green LED Array
- Filter: Amber Filter Shield included
- Compatibility: Midori Green, SYBR™ Safe, GelRed™, Ethidium Bromide, GelGreen™
- Power: 24V DC Adapter