Bio-Rad Image Lab Software User Manual

Gel Doc™ EZ Imaging

System with Image Lab Software

Version 5.1

™

Notice

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Bio-Rad.

Bio-Rad reserves the right to modify its products and services at any time. This user guide is subject to change without notice. Although prepared to ensure accuracy, Bio-Rad assumes no liability for errors or omissions, or for any damage resulting from the application or use of this information.

Precision Plus Protein standards are sold under license from Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, CA, for use only by the buyer of the product. The buyer is not authorized to sell or resell this product or its components.

Coomassie is a trademark of BASF Aktiengesellschaft. Coomassie Fluor is a trademark of Invitrogen Corp. Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. GelGreen and GelRed are trademarks of Biotium, Inc. Krypton is a trademark of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Mac, Mac OS, and Numbers are trademarks of Apple Inc. SYPRO is a trademark of Invitrogen Corporation. Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation. Mitsubishi is a trademark of Mitsubishi Companies. PulseNet International is a trademark of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SYBR is a trademark of Life Technologies, Inc. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. is licensed by Life Technologies, Inc. to sell reagents containing SYBR Green I for use in real-time PCR, for research purposes only.

Criterion Stain Free gels are covered by U.S. Pat. No. 7,569,130. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. is licensed by Invitrogen Corporation to sell SYPRO products for research use only under U.S. Patent Number 5,616,502.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Safety Use Specifications and Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Instrument Safety Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Chapter 1 System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Gel Doc EZ Imaging System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Image Lab Software Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Gel Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Molecular Weight Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Quantification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Chapter 2 Setting Up the Instrument with Image Lab Software . . . .19

System Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Image Lab Security Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Computer Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Installing Image Lab Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Connecting the Imager to the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Installing the Drivers on a Windows XP Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Installing the Drivers on a Windows 7 Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Configuring the Imager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Initializing an Additional Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Setting Up Image Lab Security Edition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Activating and Deactivating Security Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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Enabling and Disabling Image Lab Secure Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Setting Security Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Renaming Security Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Using Groups on a Local Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Changing Security Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Chapter 3 Image Lab Software Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Interface Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Main Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Results Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Display Toolbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Start Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Analysis Tool Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Status Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Menu Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Chapter 4 Acquiring Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Selecting a Sample Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Setting Up a Default Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Acquisition Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Analyze Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Regression Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Output Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Review Protocol Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Running a Default Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Creating a Multichannel Image from Single Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Setting Up a Custom Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Selecting a Custom Protocol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Running a Custom Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Editing Protocols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

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Chapter 5 Viewing Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Displaying Gel Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Display Gel Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Zoom Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Fit in Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Image Transform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Image Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

3-D Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Image Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Displaying Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Analysis Table Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Lane and Band Table Measurement Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Volume Measurement Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Lane Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Standard Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Chapter 6 Analyzing Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Using Auto Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Analysis Tool Box Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Image Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Correcting a Slanted Gel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Cropping a Gel Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Inverting Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Merging Images. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Lane and Bands Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Detecting Lanes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Using the All Lanes and Single Lane Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Copying Lanes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Detecting Bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Editing the Detected Bands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Molecular Weight (MW) Analysis Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Quantity Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Annotation Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

Add Annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

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Alignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Text Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Rotate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Volume Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Chapter 7 Generating Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Report Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Print Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Print Report to a PDF File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Adjust the Printer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Chapter 8 Exporting Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Exporting Gel Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Exporting Gel Images for Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Exporting Gel Images for Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Exporting Gel Images to PulseNet International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Exporting Lane and Band Tables to Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Exporting Volume Tables to File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Screenshot Tool Export. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Analysis Table Export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Chapter 9 Image Lab Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Image Lab Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Viewing the Instrument Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Viewing the System Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Viewing the Document Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Displaying Log Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Displaying Data Columns in Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Filtering Data in Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Collapsing or Expanding Data Rows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Exporting Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Printing Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

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Chapter 10 Using the Security Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

21 CFR Part 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Standard Mode versus Secure Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

User Names, Groups, and Roles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

Role Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Starting Image Lab Security Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Electronic Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Unsecured Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Secure Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Modifying Secure Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Signing Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Document Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Viewing the Document Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Appendix A Maintenance and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

Cleaning the Sample Trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

UV-B Fluorescent Lamp Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Appendix B Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Appendix C Setting Up Users and Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Setting Up Image Lab Users and Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

User Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

User Authentication and Group Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Finding the name of your authentication domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Configuring Users and Groups on a Local Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Configuring Users and Groups on a Network Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Password Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Password Policy Setting Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Account Lockout Policy Setting Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Auditing Windows Event Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Miscellaneous Security Measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

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Appendix D Using Bio-Rad’s Stain-Free Technology . . . . . . . . . 199

Stain-Free Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Electrophoresis with Stain-Free Gels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Imaging Gels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Imaging Blots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Appendix E Regression Calculation Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Appendix F Mitsubishi P93/P95 Thermal Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Setting up a Thermal Printer on Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Setting up a Thermal Printer on a Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

viii | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

The Gel Doc™ EZ imaging system is intended for laboratory use only. To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have provided comprehensive operating procedures and safety information in this manual and on labels affixed to the imager. This information will alert you to any potential hazards. It is the user’s responsibility to read and understand the safety information and use it for safe operation of the system.

Safety Use Specifications and Compliance

The Gel Doc EZ imager is designed and certified to meet EN61010, the internationally accepted electrical safety standard, and EN61326 Class A EMC regulations. Certified products are safe to use when operated in accordance with the instruction manual.

This instrument should not be modified or altered in any way. Modification or alteration of this instrument will:

 Void the manufacturer’s warranty

 Void the regulatory certifications

User Guide | 9

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

 Create a potential safety hazard

Fig. 1. Gel Doc EZ imager certification label.

For easy customer access, the serial number appears in two locations on your instrument: on the back panel and inside the front door.

Instrument Safety Warnings

Notes, cautions, and warnings are used to highlight certain operating procedures and recommendations. The table below describes how each is used in this document.

Table 1. Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

Icon Meaning

Note: Note: A note indicates a special procedure, an exception to normal

operation or something else of specific interest to the reader. Notes are preceded by the word Note.

Caution: A caution precedes an operational step that could damage the instrument or destroy data unless the operator takes certain precautions. Cautions located in the main text are preceded by the word Caution and are accompanied by the Caution symbol in the left margin.

10 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Table 1. Notes, Cautions, and Warnings, continued

Icon Meaning

Caution: With the exception of cleaning or replacing light bulbs, refer all

servicing to qualified Bio-Rad personnel or their agents. If you experience technical difficulties with the instrument, contact Bio-Rad to schedule service. The instrument should not be modified or altered in any way. Alteration voids the manufacturer’s warranty and might create a potential safety hazard for the user.

Caution: If the case interlock is defeated, ther radiation hazard due to UV-B light exposure. Exercise caution when servicing the instrument.

Caution: Bio-Rad is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by the use of this instrument for purposes other than that for which it is intended, or by the modification of this instrument when not performed by qualified BioRad personnel or their agents.

Caution:

Disconnect the AC power cord before removing the instrument

cover.

Warning: A warning precedes an operating procedure that could cause injury to the operator if not followed correctly. Warnings located in the main text are preceded by the word Warning and are accompanied by the Warning symbol in the left margin.

Warning: This instrument must be connected to an appr outlet that is pr

operly grounded.

Instrument Safety Warnings

e is a possibility of UV

opriate AC voltage

-B

Notice

This system is meant for use by specialized personnel who know the health risks associated with reagents normally used in electrophoresis. The UV light source is computer controlled, and proper interlocks are implemented to avoid users’ accidental exposure to UV radiation. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by use of this instrument for purposes other than those for which it is intended, or for instrument modifications not performed by BioRad Laboratories, Inc. or an authorized agent.

User Guide | 1 1

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

Warranty

Each Gel Doc EZ imager is protected by a comprehensive instrument warranty agreement. Please read this manual thoroughly so that you fully understand the coverage provided and are aware of your rights and responsibilities. One of the responsibilities of system ownership is regular maintenance. Following the maintenance instructions provided with this manual will help keep your system and peripherals functioning optimally and will protect your investment. Bio-Rad offers a range of comprehensive service agreements that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Bio-Rad Laboratories is dedicated to your total satisfaction and will be pleased to answer any questions you might have.

12 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

1 System Overview

This manual describes the Gel Doc™ EZ imaging system, which consists of the Gel Doc EZ imager and Image Lab™software.

The Gel Doc EZ imager supports multiple applications, including Coomassie and ethidium bromide staining, blue excitation for nondestructive DNA visualization, and stain-free gel imaging.

When coupled with the stain-free gel tray, the Gel Doc EZ imager represents the next generation in stain-fr results with higher image quality, and is so simple to use it requires no training, even for users who are not familiar with image analysis systems. The Gel Doc EZ imager’s compact size frees up benchspace for running your experiments.

ee imaging. It featur

es one-button acquisition, yields quick

User Guide | 1 3

1 | System Overview

The Gel Doc EZ imager is a reproducible and fast label-free SDS-PAGE/native PAGE system that eliminates time-consuming staining and destaining steps. Image Lab image acquisition and analysis software works with the Gel Doc EZ imager to create an automated and time-saving system to image and analyze electrophoresis gels. Data can be viewed, modified, and reported using Image Lab software.

Image Lab protocols can automate gel image acquisition, analysis, and report generation with the push of a single button on the imager

Researchers can run default protocols or easily design their own custom protocols. Image Lab enables you to view analyzed data, adjust the analysis, and pr customized reports that show precisely the settings that were applied, assuring repeatable results.

oduce

14 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Gel Doc EZ Imaging System

The Gel Doc EZ imaging system is a dedicated low-noise detection camera and UV transilluminator–based system with a small footprint. Designed for economy, automation, and ease of use, the user interface consists of a set of four sample trays and a one-touch button to image your gel using a protocol.

Gel Doc EZ Imaging System

Fig. 2. Gel Doc EZ imager, catalog #170-8270.

Note: This catalog number is for the imager with the stain-free tray only. The other trays must be purchased separately.

User Guide | 1 5

1 | System Overview

Four sample trays are available for the Gel Doc EZ imager. Each tray supports applications requiring a different set of stains and detection reagents, as shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Sample Tray Types and Detection Reagents

UV Tray

Catalog #170-8271

Ethidium bromide Fast Blast™ DNA

SYBR® Green Coomassie Blue

SYBR® Safe Copper stain SYBR® Gold

SYBR® Gold Zinc stain GelGreen

GelGreen Silver stain

GelRed

Flamingo™ fluor

escent gel stain

Oriole™ fluor gel stain

Coomassie Fluor Orange

SYPRO Ruby

Krypton

escent

White Light Tray

Catalog #170-8272

stain

Blue Tray

Catalog #170-8273

SYBR® Green Stain-free gels

SYBR® Safe Stain-free blots

Stain-Free Tray

Catalog #170-8274

16 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Technical Specifications

Hardware Specifications

Image area 15 x 11.2 cm

Excitation source Trans UV B (302 nm peak)

Detector Charge-coupled device

Image pixel size 107.8 x 107.8 m (in micr

Dynamic range 3.0 or

Pixel density 4,096 gray levels

Flat fielding Yes

Instrument size 43 x 28 x 38 cm

Instrument weight 7.3 kg

Connector descriptions USB-A connector is used for communication with a PC

ders of magnitude

USB-B connector is used for the instrument interface

Operating Ranges

Operating voltage 110/115/230/240 VAC Nominal

Operating temperature 10–28

Operating humidity < 70% noncondensing

C (21C recommended)

Equipment Ratings

Input voltage range 100–240 VAC

Input frequency range 50–60 Hz

Power 40 W

The Gel Doc EZ imager is for indoor laboratory use only.

Automation Capabilities

Workflow automated execution

Workflow reproducibility 100% repeatability via recallable protocols, from gel activation

Autoexposure 2 user-defined modes (intense or faint bands)

Controlled by a protocol via setup for gel activation, image capture, analysis, and reporting

and image capture to quantitative analysis and r

ons)

eports

User Guide | 1 7

1 | System Overview

Image Lab Software Capabilities

Image Lab software runs automated protocols on the Gel Doc EZ system for routine gel imaging documentation and analysis.

Gel Documentation

Gel electrophoresis is a common way to separate, identify, and purify proteins or nucleic acids. The Gel Doc EZ system enables you to image and print gel images for documentation in laboratory notebooks or to export images for publication or presentation.

Molecular Weight Assessment

Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and agarose gel electrophoresis are used to separate proteins or nucleic acids according to their size. Protein or nucleic acid molecular weight standards provide a reference for estimating the molecular weight of the proteins or nucleic acids being tested.

Quantification

The components in a sample (bands) are quantified to determine relative amounts of each component in a sample or to compare the amount of a sample component relative to a standard. Assessing the purity of a sample requires the quantification of all components of a sample relative to each other. The results are expressed either as a percentage of all bands identified (band%) or as a percentage of all signals in the sample lane (lane%). Determining expression levels of a protein or nucleic acid requires quantification among samples. Data can be reported as either relative values, if the quantity is unknown, or as an absolute value, if a standard of known quantity is present.

18 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

2 Setting Up the Instrument

with Image Lab Software

System Requirements

Image Lab™ software runs on Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 7, and Mac OS X. Images scanned at high resolution can be quite large. The amount of memory r the images you scan and analyze.

For this reason, we recommend that you archive images on a network file server or on r

emovable storage media. Bio-Rad can also provide an appropriate computer to

use with this system. Contact your local Bio-Rad representative for more details.

Image Lab Security Edition

Note: The system requirements for Image Lab Security Edition are the same as

those for the Standard Edition. The software must be installed on a computer running the Windows XP Professional or Windows 7 operating system to take advantage of the secure mode features.

Computer Specifications

equired for using the program is determined by the size of

Specifications Minimum Recommended

Operating system Windows XP SP3

Windows 7, 32- and 64-bit

Mac OS X 10.6

Processor Pentium 4 or equivalent (Windows)

at 2.0 GHz

Windows XP SP3 Professional

Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit

Mac OS X 10.6

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz or higher

User Guide | 1 9

2 | Setting Up the Instrument with Image Lab Software

Specifications Minimum Recommended

Hard disk space 20 GB >100 GB

Memory (RAM) 1,024 MB >1,024 MB

Ports for connecting instrument

Other software

(optional)

1 free USB 2.0 port 1 free USB 2.0 port

Microsoft Excel 2003 or later (Windows)

Office 2008 or iWork software (Mac)

Microsoft Excel 2003 or later (Windows)

Office 2008 or iWork software (Mac)

Installing Image Lab Software

The process of installing Image Lab differs depending on your operating system. This section explains how to install Image Lab software on a Windows PC and on a Mac.

Note: During the Windows installation process, you are prompted to install Image Lab Standar mode, you must have Image Lab Administrator role privileges. Bio-Rad recommends that you create the required groups and assign the Image Lab roles to users within those groups before installing Image Lab software.

d Edition or Security Edition. In order to enable secure

See User Names, Groups, and Roles on page 168 for additional information about the required Image Lab roles, groups, and users.

See Setting Up Users and Groups on page 183 for information about setting up groups, user names, and passwords.

To install Image Lab on a Windows PC

1. Insert the Image Lab software CD in your CD-ROM drive.

20 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Installing Image Lab Software

The Image Lab installer automatically launches.

2. On the Welcome screen, click Next.

3. Accept the license agreement and click Next.

4. On the Edition Selection screen, choose the edition to install.

User Guide | 2 1

2 | Setting Up the Instrument with Image Lab Software

Note the following.

 If you are licensed to install the Security Edition but choose to install the

Standard Edition, you will need to uninstall the Standard Edition and install the Security Edition before you can use it.

 If you are licensed to install the Security Edition and choose to install it,

only a user assigned the Image Lab Administrator role (or group) privileges can enable and disable secure mode.

Note: A user assigned the Image Lab Administrator role will not necessarily also be the network or IT administrator assigned the correct role within Image Lab to enable or disable secure mode.

For more information, see Setting Up Image Lab Security Edition on

page 38.

 If you are not licensed to install the Security Edition but choose to install it,

you will be prompted for a license key when you start Image Lab.

5. Click Next.

. You must be

22 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Installing Image Lab Software

6. A screen appears requesting your license code.

Note: Your 18-digit license code can be found in the Image Lab product folder pocket.

Enter the 18–digit code in the three text boxes. The software verifies the code.

Tip: If you do not know or do not have access to the code, contact your Bio-Rad customer service repr

esentative.

Note: Until you provide a license code, Image Lab will function only in standar

Click Next.

On the Install Location scr

d mode.

een, accept the default location or click Change and

browse to another folder.

9. Click Next.

User Guide | 2 3

2 | Setting Up the Instrument with Image Lab Software

10. On the Ready to Install the Program screen, click Install.

The wizard installs Image Lab.

24 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Installing Image Lab Software

11. When the installation is complete, you are prompted to display the Release Notes and/or the Windows Installer log.

The following screen shot is an example of the Windows Installer log.

12. Select or clear the checkboxes in the Install Wizard Completed dialog.

13. Click Finish to exit the wizard.

User Guide | 2 5

2 | Setting Up the Instrument with Image Lab Software

The Image Lab icon appears on your desktop. Follow the instructions in the next section to connect your system.

To install Image Lab on a Mac

1. Insert the Image Lab software CD in your CD-ROM drive.

2. Double-click the CD icon on your desktop to see the folder contents.

3. Double-click the file Image Lab.dmg.

4. Drag the Image Lab application icon into the Applications folder.

Follow the instructions in Connecting the Imager to the Computer to connect your system.

Connecting the Imager to the Computer

1. Install or upgrade Image Lab before connecting the Gel Doc™ EZ imager to the computer.

2. Connect the imager to the Image Lab computer using the USB cable provided with the system.

3. Connect the Gel Doc EZ imager to AC power using the power cord provided.

Rear of imager

Power cord

USB cable

26 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Computer

Installing the Drivers on a Windows XP Computer

4. Press the power switch on the side of the imager to turn on power to the instrument.

Power switch

Installing the Drivers on a Windows XP Computer

After the instrument is connected and the power is turned on, the PC automatically recognizes the instrument, and the hardware installation wizard starts, prompting you to install the drivers.

User Guide | 2 7

2 | Setting Up the Instrument with Image Lab Software

The initial Welcome dialog box appears.

Installing the drivers on a Windows XP computer

1. On the Welcome dialog box, click No, not this time, and then click Next.

The dialog box listing the driver that will be installed appears

2. By default, the radio button for Install the software automatically (Recommended) is selected.

28 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

Installing the Drivers on a Windows XP Computer

Keep the default selection and click Next.

The following warning dialog box appears.

3. Click Continue Anyway.

Windows installs the driver.

When the installation is complete, the following dialog box appears

4. Click Finish.

User Guide | 2 9

2 | Setting Up the Instrument with Image Lab Software

A message appears briefly: Your new hardware is ready to use.

Note: Windows XP might prompt you to go through the driver installation a second time. If this happens, repeat this section until you r “Your new hardware is ready to use.”

eceive the message

Installing the Drivers on a Windows 7 Computer

If you are running Windows 7, the device driver is installed during the Image Lab installation process. After successful installation, you see a message similar to the following.

Note: During the installation process you might see a warning similar to the following. You can ignore this warning because it appears even when the driver has been installed correctly.

30 | Gel Doc EZ Imaging System with Image Lab Software

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