UVP FirstLight UV Transilluminators User Manual

FirstLight UV Transilluminators

Instruction Manual

UVP, LLC Ultra-Violet Products Ltd.
2066 W 11th Street, Upland, CA 91786 Unit 1,Trinity Hall Farm Estate,
Tel: [phone] Nuffield Road Cambridge CB4 1TG UK
Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone] / Fax: [phone]

Web site: www.uvp.com

81-0226-01 Rev C

FirstLight UV Transilluminators Page 2

UV Blocking Cover may be

Power switch

Filters are available in a

Unique, patented filter and
Grid light source design for

Introduction

UV transillumination is a ubiquitous tool in Life Science research. With few exceptions, fluorescent
stains used in post electrophoresis analysis of proteins and nucleic acids have significant excitation
peaks with ultraviolet (300-365 nm) light, making midrange UV the excitation source of choice for
high sensitivity analysis for many fluorophores. However, quantitative analysis is limited by the
extreme lack of illumination uniformity across the surface of typical UV light boxes. We report the
development and characterization of a highly uniform UV transillumination system, the FirstLight®
UV Illuminator. Through use of a high density lighting system with a tuned phosphor coating,
uniformity of <5% CV across the imaging surface has been achieved and applied to proteomic
analysis.

Presently, the use of digital fluorescent imaging for both documentation and analysis of
electrophoretic separations is commonplace in biological research laboratories[1]. Applications
include protein and DNA gel documentation and analysis [1-5,7,8]. With the introduction of cooled
low light and high resolution CCD cameras[1], CCD capture is an attractiv e alternative to laser
scanning based approaches.

The FirstLight UV Illuminator represents a unique highly uniform excitation source for quantitative
fluorescent imaging.

The FirstLight features:

included with the
transilluminator. The cover
is hinged and adjustable to
varying heights

phosphor coating enable
edge-to-edge UV uniformity

superior uniformity

variety of filter sizes from
20 x 20cm to 25 x 26cm

FirstLight UV Transilluminators Page 3

Specifications

The FirstLight UV illuminator features a powder coat housing base and stainless steel frame. The
stainless steel frame is coated with an antimicrobial substance that resists bacterial growth. The
filter assembly is a unique combination of phosphored and filtered plates. The unit include s:

 UV blocking cover
 UV transmitting Gel-Tray with cm markings
 Gel-Cutter tool
 Fluorescent target

Physical dimensions of the FirstLight UV illuminator:
Width: 14.0” (356 mm)

Depth: 11.0” (279 mm)
Height: 5.63” (143 mm) Height includes UV blocking cover

Nominal
Model Part Number Volt/Hz/Amp Wavelength Filter Size

FI-26X 95-0364-01 100-115/50-60/1.5 302 nm 25 x 26cm
FI-26X 95-0364-02 230/50/0.8 302 nm 25 x 26cm

FI-20 95-0365-01 100-115/50-60/1.5 302 nm 20 x 20cm
FI-20 95-0365-02 230/50/0.8 302 nm 20 x 20cm

FI-26 95-0366-01 100-115/50-60/1.5 302 nm 21 x 26cm
FI-26 95-0366-02 230/50/0.8 302 nm 21 x 26cm

Transilluminator Operation

Safety Precautions

Caution: The FirstLight UV illuminators are powerful sources of UV radiation that will cause

damage to unprotected eyes and skin. Before operating any unit, ensure all personnel in the area
are properly protected. It is preferable that the illuminator be installed and operated in a darkroom
where access and exposure is limited while the unit is in operation. If a darkroom is unavailable,
UVP offers imaging darkroom systems which provide protection from accidental exposure. For
information on the systems, contact UVP.

Unless configured with another system to create a darkroom environment, the illuminator is
equipped with a UV blocking cover. Even though this cover blocks the ultraviolet radiation emitted
by the unit, UV blocking eyewear should be worn as well. UVP has a complete line of UV blocking
eyewear: spectacles, goggles, and faceshields designed for this purpose. For part numbers, see
the Accessories section.

Caution: The grid lamp contains Mercury. Dispose as hazardous waste according to local, state,
and federal codes. MSDS sheet available upon request.