High-Speed Crosslinking, Courtesy of Spectronics

Biotechnology research is about to get a lot simpler. SpectronicsCorporation of Westbury, N.Y., has developed a device that can perform various biological tasks and provide quicker, more accurate test results. One of the crowning achievements of the Spectrolinker XL-1000 UV crosslinker, executives said, is its ability to identify trace amounts of DNA and/or RNA with greater sensitivity, accuracy and speed compared with conventional analyzers. Other admirable qualities include the wherewithal to covalently bind nucleic acid samples to membranes in less than 30 seconds (240 times faster than vacuum-oven baking, according to the firm), and enhance sample visibility on autoradiograms by up to 445 percent. To make the machine even more appealing, designers installed UV monitoring circuitry that ensures a set dosage is always delivered, thus protecting test results from washout damage. The Spectrolinker’s overall versatility makes it an ideal tool to eliminate Polymerase Chain Reaction contamination (which can taint results), map genes, monitor ultraviolet (UV) intensity, screen and test for RecA protein mutations, nick ethidium-bromide-stained DNA, and conduct both UV sterilization and UV-induced polymerization. The device features four operation modes, built-in “help” messages, an auto-repeat function and protection against electromagnetic and/or radio frequency interference. Equipped with five, 8-watt, 254 nm tubes (312 nm and 365 nm tubes also are available), the display resolution is accurate to ± 5 µWcm2.