New 2D Gel Imaging Study comparing CCD Imager with Laser Scanner Shows CCD Imager Produces same Image Quality 10 Times Faster

May 23 2006 Cambridge, UK: Cambridge, UK: Syngene, a world-leading manufacturer of image analysis solutions, is pleased to announce the results of a new study which demonstrates Dyversity, its innovative automated 2D gel imager can capture high quality 2D protein gel images significantly faster than the leading laser scanner.

The study carried out in association with researchers at the University of Cambridge involved imaging 2D protein gels (18cm x 16cm) stained with Cy3 using both Syngene’s Dyversity imaging system fitted with a 6.3 mega pixel camera and Cy dye lighting module and the Typhoon™ 9400 laser scanner from GE Healthcare. The researchers found the systems produced identical dynamic range, linearity, sensitivity and image quality. The main difference between them was images were acquired by Dyversity in less than a minute, 10 times quicker than the laser scanner.

Unlike a laser scanner, Dyversity images the whole gel simultaneously so scan times are not dependent on sample size but on the exposure time required to achieve the right sensitivity. Using Dyversity’s 8x8 binning capability, the researchers found they could pre-scan Cy3 dyed gels in two seconds and generate images of them in less than 60 seconds. Using Typhoon, the researchers found the pre-scan to check for saturation took two minutes and the scan time was eight minutes so capturing images of each Cy3 dyed gel was a 10 minute process. With Typhoon, they also showed that scan times scaled linearly with gel size, so for a 24cm x 18cm gel, image capture took around three times longer. Similar results were obtained when both instruments were used to image Cy5 and Cy2 stained gels.

Laura Sullivan, Syngene’s Divisional Manager commented: “We are delighted with the impressive results of this study because it demonstrates that CCD based systems can rapidly generate images of 2D protein gels without compromising on image accuracy. Dyversity can process 10 gels in the time it takes a laser scanner to read just one and can easily capture a range of gel sizes, making Dyversity a must have for labs that want to increase the throughput of their proteomics research.”

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For Further Information Contact:
Jayne Arthur, Syngene, Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge, CB4 1TF, UK.
Tel: +44(0) 1223-727123 Fax +44 (0) 1223-727101
Email: jayne.arthur@syngene.com  Web site: www.2dymension.com 

Editor Contact:
Dr Sue Pearson, PO Box 170, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3GD, UK.
Tel/Fax + 44(0) 1462-635327 Email: sue6.pearson@ntlworld.com

Note to Editors

About Syngene

Syngene is a world-leading supplier of integrated imaging solutions for analysis and documentation of gel-based information. Syngene’s systems are used by more than 10,000 research organisations and over 50,000 individual scientists worldwide and include many of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies and major research institutes.

Syngene, founded in 1997 is a division of the Cambridge based Synoptics Group. The Group’s other divisions, Syncroscopy and Synbiosis, specialise in digital imaging solutions for microscopy and microbial applications respectively. Synoptics currently employs more than 50 people in its UK and subsidiary operation in Frederick, USA.