The new AlphaScan microarray scanner from Alpha Innotech (AIC), a provider of innovative imaging solutions for a wide range of life science application needs, is now available from GRI
This new product is a compact and high performance slide-based scanner for microarray imaging and data analysis of DNA, protein, cell and tissue arrays.
AlphaScan is optimised for single-slide laser scanning of the commonly used excitation dyes (Cy3, Cy5).
It also integrates advanced designs in its optical signal processing and motion control systems resulting in superior performance capabilities when compared to similar instruments.
For conventional microarray applications centred on the widely adopted dual wavelength, laser-based slide scanning protocol, AlphaScan offers a high performance option at very competitive prices.
Several features distinguish AlphaScan as a superior performance instrument.
First, AlphaScan offers a proprietary confocal laser design that enables the use of various types of slide substrates.
This flexibility is further enhanced by fully adjustable laser power and photo-multiplier tube (PMT) gain settings, which results in superior image quality and higher signal-to-noise ratio.
"AlphaScan has high resolution.
"Additionally, its broad dynamic range, good sensitivity with low cross talk and very low background make this product very competitive in the industry.
"A wide focus search range (+/-250microns) enables maximum substrate flexibility," said Diping Che, VP of research and development at AIC.
"AlphaScan is fast and easy to use.
"The overall scanning process is faster than another widely selling product on the market because of the auto-adjusting features of the photo multiplier tube controls.
"Repeated scans are avoided and the risk of photobleaching of array samples is greatly reduced," added Lewis Chapman, VP of global sales and marketing for Alpha Innotech.
AlphaScan comes with SpotData Pro software for DNA and protein analysis.
It is also available with the ArrayVision software package, licensed from GE Healthcare, to support even more advanced analysis.
ArrayVision is designed with maximum flexibility to suit the needs of any size lab and uses configurable protocols to suit any array format.
GRI's teams of sales executives will promote, supply and support AlphaScan with immediate effect within the UK, France and Ireland.
