Why Gel imaging is important to synthetic biology?

Gel electrophoresis one of the most essential tool in biology, it is an essential part for restriction diagnostic test for nucleic acid, resolving PCR products, etc. Having a gel imaging tool in proximity can increase the productivity of the lab. In our case, since the closest gel imaging tools is far away from HKUST iGEM lab, we decided to build a gel imaging station for our own use, using simple and easy to get material.

Material for DIY Gel imaging Station

The DIY Gel imaging station mainly consist of five parts:

Item	Source	Cost (HKD)
1: Case	Local hard ware store: Pricerite	~$100
2: Camera	Local electronic store	~$3000
3: Computer with monitor for live viewing of Gel	Laboratory Laptop	~$5000
4: Color filter	TaoBao	~$30
5: UV trans-illuminator	HKUST division of life science
Total

In addition to the materials listed above, a stand and clamp is used to hold the camera in place. a heat block is used as a counter weight to keep the set up balance. The inside of the case is wrapped with double layer of aluminium foil to insulate the UV radiation emitted from the UV trans-illuminator when it is being turned on.

A small hole is drilled at the back of the plastic case (not shown on picture above). This hole allows connection of power cord and the UV trans-illuminator.

From Prototype to a Working Model

Prototype

Before we build the DIY Gel imaging station , we build a prototype to prove the feasibility of a DIY gel imaging station . Here is how we build this prototype:

1. We obtained a plastic bucket and drilled a 3 inches hole on the bottom of it.
2. We place a filter on top of the hole and put a camera on top of the filter.
3. A electrophoresed agarose gel stained with Midori Green is placed on top of the UV trans-illuminator
4. The entire bucket, with the filter and camera are placed on top of the UV trans-illuminator, and a photo was taken

Working Model

After we confirm that we could take Gel photo using easy to get material, we proceed to build a case especially for this purpose. With the case, the imaging station will be more durable. We choose plastic as the material for case. Plastic is resistant to rust and inert to acid and base. Using plastic prevent rust and is easy to maintain.