Vernier BlueView Transilluminator User Manual

BlueView Transilluminator

(Order Code BLUE-VIEW)

and
Blue Digital Bioimaging System

(Order Code BL-DBS)

The Blue View Transilluminator is an
illuminating base for observing fluorescently
stained nucleic acid and protein gels. Using a
filtered bright blue LED light source, this
transilluminator excites stained gel bands
resulting in light emissions in the visible light
region of the spectrum.

Use the BlueView Transilluminator:

 To visualize fluorescent bands from gel electrophoresis results.
 To safely observe gel digest results.
 As part of the Blue Digital Bioimaging System to photodocument and analyze

gel electrophoresis results.

 To analyze transformation results using Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP).

What is Included with the BlueView Transilluminator?

 BlueView Transilluminator
 12 V AC Power Adapter

How to Use the BlueView Transilluminator

Connect the BlueView Transilluminator to AC power using the cable provided.
Note: Do not use any other power supply with the transilluminator. Lift the lid and
place the gel or tray holding the gel on the blue platform. Close the lid. Turn on the
unit by turning the knob and adjust the brightness for optimal viewing.

How the BlueView Transilluminator Works

The BlueView Transilluminator uses bright blue
LEDs and a blue filter to produce light with a peak
wavelength of 470 nm as shown in Figure 1. This
wavelength excites nucleic acids and proteins
stained with certain dyes, causing them to
fluoresce. The orange lid filters out the blue light
to reveal only the fluorescently stained bands.

A rotary dial control switch adjusts light intensity
to optimize visualization. A magnetic switch turns

off the LEDs when the lid is open.

Figure 1: Emission spectrum of
the BlueView Transilluminator

Which Stains Can Be Used with the BlueView Transilluminator?

Fluorescent stains and dyes that work well with the BlueView Transilluminator
include, but are not limited to, the following.

For nucleic acid gel electrophoresis:

 SYBR
 SYBR
 SYBR
 GelStar

®

Safe DNA Gel Stain

®

Green I DNA Gel Stain

®

Gold DNA Gel Stain

®

Nucleic Acid Gel Stain

 GelGreen™ Nucleic Acid Gel

Stain

For protein gel electrophoresis:

®

 SYPRO

Orange Protein Gel

Stain

 SYPRO

®

Ruby Protein Gel

Stain

 Coomassie Fluor™ Orange

 Ethidium bromide

BlueView Transilluminator Specifications

AC power supply to external power brick: Input 0.8 A @ 100 to 240 V AC
DC power input to transilluminator: 2.0 A @ 12 V
Dimensions (excluding power supply): 17 cm  23 cm  10.5 cm

Care and Cleaning

For best results, keep the viewing surface as dry as possible. Should the lid or
viewing surface require cleaning, disconnect from power, use soapy water, and wipe
dry with a soft cloth to avoid scratching. Do not use solvents, glass cleaners,
cleansers, or any solution containing ammonia on these surfaces. If liquid wicks
under the blue viewing surface, disconnect power, unscrew and remove the four
Phillip’s screws, separate the white and blue plates, wipe dry with a soft cloth, and
reassemble before connecting power. If the lid fogs when viewing a gel, lift and
gently wipe with a soft cloth.

Patent Information

The BlueView Transilluminator includes Clare Chemical Research, Inc.'s
Dark Reader
more of Clare Chemical Research, Inc.'s U.S. Patent nos. 6,198,107,
6,512,236, and 6,914,250.

®

transilluminator technology and is covered by one or

Warranty

Vernier warrants the BlueView Transilluminator to be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for a period of five years from the date of shipment to the
customer. This warranty does not cover damage to the product caused by abuse or
improper use.

Note: This product is to be used for educational purposes only. It is not appropriate
for industrial, medical, research, or commercial applications.

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Blue Digital Bioimaging System

(Order Code BL-DBS)

The Blue Digital Bioimaging System is a
total system for illuminating, observing,
digitally photographing, and analyzing
fluorescently stained nucleic acid and protein
gels.

Use the Blue Digital Bioimaging System:

 To view gel electrophoresis results.
 To document and analyze gel

electrophoresis results using Logger Pro
software (Logger Pro sold separately.
See p. 7 for ordering information).

What is Included with the Blue Digital Bioimaging System?

 BlueView Transilluminator
 ProScope HR Body
 1–10X ProScope Lens
 ProScope Stand
 Imaging Hood

Setting Up the Blue Digital Bioimaging System

 Place the gel in the BlueView

Transilluminator and adjust for
optimal viewing.

 Assemble the ProScope, lens,

and Stand, and position above
the Transilluminator as shown
in Figure 2.

 Place the Imaging Hood over

the entire apparatus.

 Connect the ProScope USB

cable to the computer and
follow the documentation and
analysis sequence in the following
section.

Figure 2: Blue Digital

Bioimaging System

Method 1: Inserting a Digital Photo from File

1. Start Logger Pro.

2. Choose Gel Analysis from the Insert menu, then choose From File...

3. Choose the photo you want to analyze from your desktop folder.

4. Once the photo is on the screen, choose Auto Arrange from the Page menu.

Method 2: Taking a Digital Photo with a ProScope HR

1. Start Logger Pro.

2. Choose Gel Analysis from the Insert menu, then choose Take Photo. A dialog
box with a live picture from the ProScope, as shown in Figure 3, should appear.

Figure 3: Take Gel Photo

dialog box

3. When you are satisfied with the image, click the Take Photo button. Your screen
should now look similar to the one in Figure 4.

Obtaining a Digital Photo

There are two ways to obtain a digital photo for Gel Analysis in Logger Pro. In one
method, a photo is inserted into Logger Pro from an existing file on your computer.
In the second method, Logger Pro actively captures a photo of a gel using a digital
camera such as the ProScope HR.

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Figure 4: Logger Pro ready to

begin Gel Analysis

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