February 13, 2013, Lincoln, NE: Today, LI-COR Biosciences continues to demonstrate its position as a leader in laboratory instrument systems as it announces the launch of the C-DiGit® Blot Scanner. A technological advancement for biotechnology laboratories, C-DiGit Blot Scanner is a digital replacement for film-based chemiluminescent Western blots that eliminates the need for a traditional darkroom. The C-DiGit Blot Scanner does not require changes to existing protocols yet delivers film-quality chemiluminescent images.
"The future availability of film, processing hassles and environmental issues, coupled with budget restraints, are significant concerns for labs," says Jon Anderson, LI-COR senior scientist. "With the C-DiGit Blot Scanner, researchers now have an effective solution that is priced below capital expenditure thresholds."
LI-COR Biosciences' patent-pending technology pairs quality chemiluminescent images with the versatility of a personal scanner. The scanner, which is approximately the size of a lab notebook, can easily be placed on a lab bench or carried to a personal workspace.
"Beta users are not only seeing the C-DiGit scanner as a replacement for film, but as a means to convert darkroom space to other purposes," says Anderson.
A single image file from the C-DiGit Blot Scanner captures the full range of chemiluminescent data for that blot. Image display settings can be adjusted to render a wide range of different 'exposures' and do not alter or affect the raw data or signal intensities (see Figure 1).
"At LI-COR Biosciences, we look at the market and the needs of our customers and create solutions to further science," says Bill Biggs, LI-COR President and CEO. "We saw a need to transform Western blotting, and believe the C-DiGit Blot Scanner will greatly impact the scientific community."
To learn more about the C-DiGit Blot Scanner, view a data image gallery, and download white papers about the technology, visit www.licor.com/bio/cdigit.
LI-COR Biosciences develops the highest quality fundamental research tools for cellular and molecular biology and environmental sciences, based on the core technologies of light, optics, and electronics.
LI-COR is the leading manufacturer of near-infrared imaging platforms, analysis software, and IRDye® infrared dye reagents for quantitative Western blotting, small animal imaging and DNA fragment analysis.
LI-COR pioneered the development of near-infrared fluorescence detection systems for DNA sequencing, and today provides systems for drug discovery, protein research, small animal imaging and undergraduate training.
For the environmental sciences research community, LI-COR develops instruments for photosynthesis, carbon dioxide analysis and light measurement. These instruments are recognized worldwide for standard-setting innovation in plant science research and environmental monitoring.
Founded in 1971, the privately held company is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, with subsidiaries in Germany and the United Kingdom. LI-COR systems are used in over 100 countries and are supported by a global network of distributors.
D. Doc Chaves
Director of Marketing Communications
LI-COR Biosciences
4647 Superior St.
Lincoln, NE 68504
402.467.0750
doc.chaves@licor.com