February 19, 2009, Lincoln, NE: The benefits of near-infrared detection compared to traditional Western blot analysis are compared on a free on-line demonstration from LI-COR and Biocompare. Sally Weldon, senior molecular biologist for LI-COR Biosciences explains the benefits of using infrared fluorescence to improve Western blot data.
"The Odyssey® Infrared Imaging System sweeps away the old paradigms of chemiluminescence and visible fluorescence, and introduces an improved method for Western blot analysis — direct infrared fluorescence detection," says Weldon. "Infrared detection gives you the quantitative analysis and wide linear dynamic range that chemiluminescence can't. Strong and weak bands on the same blot are accurately detected without the uncertainty and inconvenience of multiple exposures, and without spending time in the darkroom."
The Odyssey Infrared Imaging System is uniquely equipped with two infrared channels for direct fluorescence detection with high sensitivity and low biological background fluorescence. The superior signal to noise ratio produced using near-infrared dyes produces results not previously possible with visible fluorescence-based imaging systems.
LI-COR's selection of IRDye® Infrared Dyes on the Odyssey Infrared Imaging System provides a maximum of 48 targets on a single membrane — two per channel, and the option for quantitative analysis. Standard chemiluminescence and colorimetric detection methods can also be used, and can provide a maximum of 24 targets.
LI-COR Biosciences is a leading manufacturer of near-infrared imaging systems and LI-COR IRDye Infrared Dye reagents for quantitative Western Blotting, small animal imaging, and DNA fragment analysis. The company also offers accessories and reagents for other detection types.