Below are Frequently Asked Questions about the Gel Logic Systems. Don't see what you're looking for? E-mail us at service@raytest.com

1. I am looking for a gel imaging system, how do I know which KODAK system best meets my needs?
Kodak offers several products for imaging a wide range of scientific samples. For electrophoresis gel documentation, there is the Gel Logic 200 and the Gel Logic 100. Click here for a comparison of these systems. If your research involves chemiluminescent labeled samples, then the award-winning Image Station systems would best meet your imaging needs.

2. What is the integrated illumination system with the Gel Logic 200?
The Gel Logic 200 system features both UV trans and white light epi-illumination capability with a large imaging area of 25 x 33 cm. The convenient rollout UV transilluminator with optional UV shield which makes visualization and excision of bands from ethidium bromide and other fluorescent dyes, simple and safe. Available options include UV epi-illumination at 254nm, 306nm, 365nm, 385 nm and visible light trans-illumination via UV conversion screen. The cabinet also includes a discrete illumination mode selection, with indicator light and an optional timer for UV light operation.

3. How does KODAK Gel Logic image quality compare to video based gel documentation systems?
Most video systems utilize a camera with a CCD that has resolution of 758 x 494 pixels - or about 380,000 pixels. The Gel Logic systems camera has a 1.4 mega-pixel scientific grade CCD, or about 3.5X more pixels than found in a conventional video based system. This highest quality scientific grade CCD delivers optimized 1.2 mega-pixel images.

KODAK GL200 (1,228k pixels)
Video System (307k pixels)

4. The Kodak Gel Logic camera utilizes a "Scientific Grade CCD." What does this mean and why is it important?
Manufacturers grade CCD sensors according to the number and type of pixel defects present. Defects, also known as "hot pixels" are pixels that do not accurately represent true signal level. To provide insight into the number of pixel defects on a given CCD, manufacturers have designated a grading scheme where a grade 0 CCD is the highest quality (least amount of pixel defects), and grades 1, 2, and 3 represent CCD's with increasing amounts of pixel defects.
The Gel Logic camera's scientific grade 0 CCD provides confidence that your analysis data is based on actual sample data and has not been adversely affected by pixel defects. Many CCD's manufactured for consumer level digital cameras are not graded and do not have to meet these stringent quality standards, since they are designed for point and shoot photography.

5. What is the dynamic range of the Gel Logic Systems?
Both Gel Logic systems have a 10-bit A/D (analog/digital) converter which subsamples to an optimized 10-bits (0-1024 gray levels) of information for a single capture. By accumulation in the software, these single captures can be combined (up to 32 captures) into a 14-bit file (a signal range of 0-16,384 gray levels). With multiple captures, the system provides a maximum linear dynamic range of 3.4 orders of magnitude. What does this mean? It means that the Gel Logic can easily detect very bright bands and very faint bands within the same image.

6. How does Gel Logic's image quality compare with instant film?
The resolution and sensitivity of the Gel Logic camera meets or exceeds instant film imaging methods, with all the added benefits a digital system has to offer.

Dynamic range - Instant film has a dynamic range of only 1.6 - 1.8 versus up to 3.4 orders of magnitude with the Gel Logic (with multiple image capture)

Cost - Instant film has high consumable costs both for purchase of film and the waste associated with multiple captures to check zoom and exposure. The live preview of Gel Logic allows you to immediately see if your zoom and exposure are appropriate before you capture the image, without having to waste film.

Ease of use - Digital imaging simplifies your workflow versus film. Eliminate the need to scan images and with a high resolution digital file captured, print only as many copies as you need. Multiple photos wastes time, money and exposes your gel to potentially degrading UV light for longer periods of time than necessary.

7. What is the lowest amount of DNA that I can detect with the Gel Logic System?
With image integration, the Gel Logic can detect as little as 30 picograms of ethidium bromide or SYBR Green stained DNA in an agarose gel, provided your gel has been prepared with care and the background stain level is minimized. Integration of multiple images increases your confidence in these very low levels, which approach the detection limits of ethidium bromide stain.

8. Does the Gel Logic Digital Camera have to be connected to the computer while taking pictures of electrophoresis gels?
Yes. All camera functions, as well as camera power, are supplied via the host computer, enhancing the workflow of capturing and analyzing gels.

9. Can I use the Gel Logic system to capture images of chemiluminescent-labeled samples?
The sensitivity of the Gel Logic camera is not sufficient to capture the signals produced by samples labeled with chemiluminescence. The KODAK Image Station systems are ideally suited for the detection of low light fluorescence and chemiluminescence.

10. What types of printers can be used to print images captured with Gel Logic?
Any printer attached to your PC or Macintosh computer can be used to print Gel Logic images. The image exists as a file that is printed through standard printer drivers using KODAK 1D image analysis software's (or another software's) File… Print command.

The following are recommended printer technologies presented in order of resulting print quality.

Thermal - affordable continuous grayscale prints in seconds (convenient "4x6" prints for lab notebook, supported on Microsoft PC's only)
Laser - excellent resolution for plain paper only
Inkjet - near photo quality (higher dpi is better), plain or heavy paper

11. Are Gel Logic images suitable for publication?
Absolutely, Leading journals such as 'Science' and 'Nature' prefer digital images and the image quality (resolution and contrast) of images produced using the Gel Logic are comparable to those produced using film.

12. What are the computer system requirements for Gel Logic systems?
Gel Logic systems are available for MACINTOSH or WINDOWS computers meeting minimum requirements. It is important to remember the Gel Logic system requires IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE) communication.

13. What operating systems support the Gel Logic system?
The Gel Logic is compatible with WINDOWS 2000, XP or MACINTOSH OS 10.38. The Gel Logic does not support WINDOWS NT, 98, or 95.

14. You say that the Gel Logic requires a "IEEE1394(FIREWIRE)-equipped" computer. What is IEEE1394 (FIREWIRE)?
Unlike video systems, which require a frame-grabber board to be installed in your computer, the Gel Logic digital camera uses this high speed industry standard communication protocol between computers and peripheral devices. IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE) is significantly faster when compared to USB or parallel port communication. For the Gel Logic, this enables preview of up to 7 frames per second and full resolution image downloads in less than 2 seconds.

15. Can I add a FIREWIRE /IEEE 1394 port to my computer?
Most computers shipped today come equipped with IEEE 1394(FIREWIRE), if your system does not, you can purchase an IEEE1394 (FIREWIRE) card from most computer retail stores.

For desktop computers, Kodak has tested the following IEEE1394 (FIREWIRE) cards:
Orange Micro Cards
Adaptec FireConnect 4300

For notebook computers, Kodak has tested the following IEEE1394 (FIREWIRE) cards:
Orange Micro OrangeLink Cardbus Card
Orange Micro Power Supply for OrangeLink Card