Systems You Can Trust
Used worldwide by the top 25 pharmaceutical companies and renowned academic centers.
Image Quality Second to None
Every imaging technology is precisely optimized for crystal clear images.
Increase Your Throughput
Image entire 96-well plates in only 3 minutes and incubate up to 1500 plates.
Crystal Clear Imaging. Unparalleled Speed.
ROCK IMAGER® - Crystallization Imagers are a series of automated imaging systems designed for protein crystallization screening. Capture superior quality images of your protein drops while learning critical information about your crystals. ROCK IMAGERs are available with various plate capacities and imaging features, so there is a model to fit every lab's budget and workflow.
Screen conditions with various imaging methods to discover more
Visible Light (Color), Cross-Polarization, UV Fluorescence, UV Absorption, Multi-Fluorescence Imaging (MFI), Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP), Second-Order Nonlinear Imaging of Chiral Crystals (SONICC)
Various models to fit your budget and workflow
Plate capacities from a single plate up to 970 SBS format plates or 1500 LCP plates
Temperature regulation options available
Precise temperature control from 30°C down to 4°C
Multiple plate options available
SBS, Linbro, Nextal, Terasaki/HLA and Lipid Cubic Phase (LCP) plate
Seamless integration with ROCK MAKER - Crystallization Software
Screen Conditions with More Confidence
See the Details of Your Drops
High optical resolution is achieved by increasing the numerical aperture of the objective. The trade-off, however, is that depth of field (depth of the image in focus at one time) is reduced. ROCK IMAGER combines multiple slices into one Extended Focus Image (EFI) to allow the best of both worlds.
Capture Images the Way You Want
Multiple images of each drop can be captured with user-adjustable settings including exposure, polarization, and condenser aperture.
See Something Interesting? Zoom in for a Better Look
Specify regions of interest within a drop to zoom into. ROCK IMAGER will automatically capture those areas in high resolution.
Learn More About Your Drops
Multiple imaging technologies are available for ROCK IMAGER allowing you to discover more about your protein drops:
Visible Light
The standard imaging technique for screening used by most crystallographers. ROCK IMAGER provides high-resolution images. Learn More
Ultraviolet (UV)
Determine if your crystals are protein or salt and find crystals in optically turbulent environments. Learn More
Multi-Fluorescence Imaging (MFI)
Find protein-protein complexes, increase crystal detection sensitivity, and incorporate UV imaging into your toolkit. Learn More
Second Order Nonlinear Imaging of Chiral Crystals (SONICC)
Detect microcrystals (<1 µm), determine which crystals are protein vs. salt, and increase crystal detection sensitivity. Learn More
Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP)
Identify the optimal conditions for LCP crystal growth without having to wait on the crystals actually growing. Learn More
Versatile Options for Any Lab
Models to Fit Your Lab's Throughput and Budget
With 5 different models all with flexible options, there is a ROCK IMAGER to fit your lab's needs. Plate capacities range from a single-plate desktop model up to 970 SBS plates or 1500 LCP plates with hotel storage.
No Need to Change Your Microplate
All Rock Imagers are compatible with SBS, LCP, and microbatch plates. Options for Linbro and Qiagen EasyXtal plate compatibility are available.
ROCK IMAGER 182 shown retrieving, imaging, and storing a plate.
Testimonials
Resources
2016
Barba-Spaeth G, Dejnirattisai W, Rouvinski A, Vaney MC, Medits I, Sharma A, Simon-Lorière E, Sakuntabhai A, Cao-Lormeau VM, Haouz A, England P, Stiasny K, Mongkolsapaya J, Heinz FX, Screaton GR, Rey FA.
Nature. 2016 Aug 4;536(7614):48-53.
2015
Qin L, Kufareva I, Holden LG, Wang C, Zheng Y, Zhao C, Fenalti G, Wu H, Han GW, Cherezov V, Abagyan R, Stevens RC, Handel TM.
Science. 2015 Mar 6;347(6226):1117-22. doi: 10.1126/science.1261064. Epub 2015 Jan 22.
PMID: 25612609 [PubMed - in process]
2014
Ferris HU, Zeth K, Hulko M, Dunin-Horkawicz S, Lupas AN.
J Struct Biol. 2014 Jun;186(3):349-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2014.03.015. Epub 2014 Mar 27.
PMID: 24680785 [PubMed – in process]
Namadurai S, Balasuriya D, Rajappa R, Wiemhöfer M, Stott K, Klingauf J, Edwardson JM, Chirgadze DY, Jackson AP.
J Biol Chem. 2014 Apr 11;289(15):10797-811. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.527994. Epub 2014 Feb 24.
PMID: 24567321 [PubMed - in process]
Weierstall U, James D, Wang C, White TA, Wang D, Liu W, Spence JC, Bruce Doak R, Nelson G, Fromme P, Fromme R, Grotjohann I, Kupitz C, Zatsepin NA, Liu H, Basu S, Wacker D, Han GW, Katritch V, Boutet S, Messerschmidt M, Williams GJ, Koglin JE, Marvin Seibert M, Klinker M, Gati C, Shoeman RL, Barty A, Chapman HN, Kirian RA, Beyerlein KR, Stevens RC, Li D, Shah ST, Howe N, Caffrey M, Cherezov V.
Nat Commun. 2014;5:3309. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4309..
PMID: 24525480 [PubMed - in process]
Ofek G, Zirkle B, Yang Y, Zhu Z, McKee K, Zhang B, Chuang GY, Georgiev IS, O'Dell S, Doria-Rose N, Mascola JR, Dimitrov DS, Kwong PD.
J Virol. 2014 Mar;88(5):2426-41. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02837-13. Epub 2013 Dec 11.
PMID: 24335316 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Premkumar L, Kurth F, Neyer S, Schembri MA, Martin JL.
J Biol Chem. 2014 Jan 31;289(5):2563-76. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.516898. Epub 2013 Dec 5.
PMID: 24311786 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2013
Closser RG, Gualtieri EJ, Newman JA, Simpson GJ.
J Appl Crystallogr. 2013 Dec 1;46(Pt 6):1903-1906. Epub 2013 Nov 15.
PMID: 24282335 [PubMed]
Bihani SC, Chakravarty D, Ballal A.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2013 Nov;69(Pt 11):1299-302. doi: 10.1107/S1744309113028017. Epub 2013 Oct 30.
PMID: 24192374 [PubMed - in process]
Wan L, Williams SJ, Zhang X, Ericsson DJ, Koeck M, Dodds PN, Ellis JG, Kobe B.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2013 Oct;69(Pt 10):1094-6. doi: 10.1107/S1744309113023142. Epub 2013 Sep 28.
PMID: 24100555 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Acajjaoui S, Zubieta C.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2013 Sep;69(Pt 9):997-1000. doi: 10.1107/S174430911302006X. Epub 2013 Aug 19.
PMID: 23989147 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Li D, Shah ST, Caffrey M.
Cryst Growth Des. 2013 Jul 3;13(7):2846-2857.
PMID: 23956688 [PubMed]
Nederlof I, van Genderen E, Li YW, Abrahams JP.
Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2013 Jul;69(Pt 7):1223-30. doi: 10.1107/S0907444913009700. Epub 2013 Jun 15.
PMID: 23793148 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Nederlof I, Li YW, van Heel M, Abrahams JP.
Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2013 May;69(Pt 5):852-9. doi: 10.1107/S0907444913002734. Epub 2013 Apr 19.
PMID: 23633595 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Fröhlich C, Grabiger S, Schwefel D, Faelber K, Rosenbaum E, Mears J, Rocks O, Daumke O.
EMBO J. 2013 May 2;32(9):1280-92. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2013.74. Epub 2013 Apr 12.
PMID: 23584531 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Ponnusamy R, Lohkamp B.
J Neurochem. 2013 Jun;125(6):855-68. doi: 10.1111/jnc.12188. Epub 2013 Mar 5.
PMID: 23373749 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2012
Chan-Huot et al.
Cryst. Growth Des. 2012 12(12):6199-6207. doi: 10.1021/ch301378j. Epub 2012 Nov 5.
Aherne M, Lyons JA, Caffrey M.
J Appl Crystallogr. 2012 Dec 1;45(Pt 6):1330-1333. Epub 2012 Oct 10.
PMID: 23162163 [PubMed]
Daniel E, Wirenga R, Diprose J, Berry I, Esnouf R, Stuart D, Seroul G, Marquez J, deVries D, Perrakis A, Launer L, Walsh M, Griffiths S, Wilson K, Pajon A, Lin B, Morris C.
JActa Cryst A. 2012 Aug; A68, S120.
Stieglitz B, Rittinger K, Haire LF.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2012 Jul 1;68(Pt 7):816-9. doi: 10.1107/S1744309112022208. Epub 2012 Jun 28.
PMID: 22750873 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2011
Li D, Lee J, Caffrey M.
Cryst Growth Des. 2011;11(2):530-537.
PMID: 21743796 [PubMed]
Nederlof I, Hosseini R, Georgieva D, Luo J, D Li, J Abrahams.
Cryst. Growth Des. 2011, 11 (4), 1170-1176.
Kavanaugh JS, Gakhar L, Horswill AR.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2011 Dec 1;67(Pt 12):1501-5. doi: 10.1107/S1744309111042953. Epub 2011 Nov 29.
PMID: 22139152 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Ve T, Williams SJ, Stamp A, Valkov E, Dodds PN, Anderson PA, Kobe B.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2011 Dec 1;67(Pt 12):1603-7. doi: 10.1107/S1744309111037675. Epub 2011 Nov 26.
PMID: 22139177 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Haupert LM, Simpson GJ.
Methods. 2011 Dec;55(4):379-86. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2011.11.003. Epub 2011 Nov 17. Review.
PMID: 22101350 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Joseph JS, Liu W, Kunken J, Weiss TM, Tsuruta H, Cherezov V.
Methods. 2011 Dec;55(4):342-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2011.08.013. Epub 2011 Aug 27.
PMID: 21903166 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Pesek J, Büchler R, Albrecht R, Boland W, Zeth K.
J Biol Chem. 2011 Oct 7;286(40):34872-82. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.246108. Epub 2011 Jul 16.
PMID: 21768097 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Shanker S, Choi JM, Sankaran B, Atmar RL, Estes MK, Prasad BV.
J Virol. 2011 Sep;85(17):8635-45. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00848-11. Epub 2011 Jun 29.
PMID: 21715503 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Daniel E, Lin B, Diprose JM, Griffiths SL, Morris C, Berry IM, Owens RJ, Blake R, Wilson KS, Stuart DI, Esnouf RM.
CJ Struct Biol. 2011 Aug;175(2):230-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2011.05.008. Epub 2011 May 14.
PMID: 21605683 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Römer C, Patzer SI, Albrecht R, Zeth K, Braun V.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2011 Apr 1;67(Pt 4):517-20. doi: 10.1107/S1744309111006737. Epub 2011 Mar 30.
PMID: 21505256 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Bingel-Erlenmeyer R, Olieric V, Grimshaw J, Gabadinho J, Wang X, Ebner S, Isenegger A, Schnieder R, Schneider J, Glettig W, Pradervand C, Panepucci E, Tomizaki T, Wang M, Schulze-Briese C.
Cryst. Growth Des. 2011, 11 (4), 916-923. doi: 10.1021/cg101375j. Epub 2011 March 17.
Höfer N, Aragão D, Lyons JA, Caffrey M.
Cryst Growth Des. 2011 Apr 6;11(4):1182-1192. Epub 2011 Feb 16.
PMID: 22933857 [PubMed]
Ve T, Williams S, Valkov E, Ellis JG, Dodds PN, Kobe B.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2011 Feb 1;67(Pt 2):237-40. doi: 10.1107/S1744309110051006. Epub 2011 Jan 22.
PMID: 21301095 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Helbig S, Patzer SI, Schiene-Fischer C, Zeth K, Braun V.
J Biol Chem. 2011 Feb 25;286(8):6280-90. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.165274. Epub 2010 Dec 13.
PMID: 21149455 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2010
Albrecht R, Zeth K.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2010 Dec 1;66(Pt 12):1586-90. doi: 10.1107/S1744309110034160. Epub 2010 Nov 25.
PMID: 21139201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Morrow CA, Stamp A, Valkov E, Kobe B, Fraser JA.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2010 Sep 1;66(Pt 9):1104-7. doi: 10.1107/S1744309110031659. Epub 2010 Aug 28.
PMID: 20823538 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Jarrott R, Shouldice SR, Guncar G, Totsika M, Schembri MA, Heras B.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2010 May 1;66(Pt 5):601-4. doi: 10.1107/S1744309110011942. Epub 2010 Apr 30.
PMID: 20445269 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Shouldice SR, Heras B, Jarrott R, Sharma P, Scanlon MJ, Martin JL.
Antioxid Redox Signal. 2010 Apr 15;12(8):921-31. doi: 10.1089/ars.2009.2736.
PMID: 19788398 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Gill HS.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2010 Mar 1;66(Pt 3):364-72. doi: 10.1107/S1744309110002022. Epub 2010 Feb 27.
PMID: 20208182 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Kissick DJ, Gualtieri EJ, Simpson GJ, Cherezov V.
Anal Chem. 2010 Jan 15;82(2):491-7. doi: 10.1021/ac902139w.
PMID: 20025250 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2009
King GJ, Chen KE, Robin G, Forwood JK, Heras B, Thakur AS, Kobe B, Blomberg SP, Martin JL.
PLoS One. 2009 Nov 16;4(11):e7851. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007851.
PMID: 19924245 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Cherezov V, Hanson MA, Griffith MT, Hilgart MC, Sanishvili R, Nagarajan V, Stepanov S, Fischetti RF, Kuhn P, Stevens RC.
J R Soc Interface. 2009 Oct 6;6 Suppl 5:S587-97. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2009.0142.focus. Epub 2009 Jun 17. Review.
PMID: 19535414 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
King G, Hill JM, Martin JL, Mylne JS.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2009 Mar 1;65(Pt 3):291-4. doi: 10.1107/S1744309109004217. Epub 2009 Feb 26.
PMID: 19255487 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2008
Gräslund S, Sagemark J, Berglund H, Dahlgren LG, Flores A, Hammarström M, Johansson I, Kotenyova T, Nilsson M, Nordlund P, Weigelt J.
Protein Expr Purif. 2008 Apr;58(2):210-21. doi: 10.1016/j.pep.2007.11.008. Epub 2007 Nov 22.
PMID: 18171622 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Ng JD, Clark PJ, Stevens RC, Kuhn P.
Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2008 Feb;64(Pt 2):189-97. doi: 10.1107/S0907444907060064. Epub 2008 Jan 16.
PMID: 18219119 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Hernandez Alvarez B, Hartmann MD, Albrecht R, Lupas AN, Zeth K, Linke D.
Protein Eng Des Sel. 2008 Jan;21(1):11-8. Epub 2007 Dec 18.
PMID: 18093992 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2007
Mosyak L, Xu Z, Joseph-McCarthy D, Brooijmans N, Somers W, Chaudhary D.
Biochem Soc Trans. 2007 Nov;35(Pt 5):1027-31. Review.
PMID: 17956269 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2006
MPorta J, Kolar C, Kozmin SG, Pavlov YI, Borgstahl GE.
Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2006 Nov 1;62(Pt 11):1076-81. Epub 2006 Oct 25.
PMID: 17077483 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Models to Fit Your Workflow and Budget
With 5 different models all with flexible options, there is a ROCK IMAGER to fit your lab's needs. Plate capacities range from a single-plate desktop model up to 970 SBS plates or 1500 LCP plates with hotel storage.
ROCK IMAGER 1
The most cost-effective way to add visible light and UV imaging to your toolkit.
Compatible Plate Types (Capacity):
SBS (1)
Microbatch (1)
LCP Thin Glass (1)
Linbro (1)
EasyXtal (1)
Imaging Options:
Single Light Path:
Visible Light + UV
Monochrome
Images Only
Cooling Options:
None - No Hotel
Physical Dimensions:
Depth: 354 mm (14”)
Width: 419 mm (17”)
Height: 621 mm (25”)
Weight: 23 kg (51 lbs)
ROCK IMAGER 2
A versatile imager that can be used as a high-powered microscope to manually explore the contents of your plates, or put up to two plates on the plate holder, set an automatic schedule, and let the system do the rest.
Compatible Plate Types (Capacity):
SBS (2)
Microbatch (2)
LCP Thin Glass (2)
Linbro (1)
EasyXtal (2)
Imaging Options:
Visible Light Only
Single Light Path:
Visible Light + UV
Dual Light Paths:
Separate Visible
Light + UV
Multi-Fluorescence Imaging
Cooling Options:
None - No Hotel
Physical Dimensions:
Depth: 371 mm (15")
Width: 420 mm (17")
Height: 586 mm (24")
Weight: 23 kg (51 lbs)
ROCK IMAGER 54
Our entry-level hotel imager that can store and incubate up to 54 plates. Fully automated imaging on a user-defined schedule.
Compatible Plate Types (Capacity):
SBS (54)
Microbatch (54)
LCP Thin Glass (54)
Linbro (up to 28)
Imaging Options:
Visible Light Only
Single Light Path:
Visible Light + UV
Dual Light Paths:
Separate Visible
Light + UV
Cooling Options:
Peltier Cooling:
regulates temperature to +/-0.5°C with a range of 5°C below or 7°C above room temperature
Physical Dimensions:
Depth: 614 mm (26")
Width: 750 mm (30")
Height: 1027 mm (41")
Weight: 114 kg (252 lbs)
ROCK IMAGER 182
Our mid-level hotel imager that can store and incubate up to 182 plates. Fully automated imaging on a user-defined schedule.
Compatible Plate Types (Capacity):
SBS (182)
Microbatch (182)
LCP Thin Glass (182)
Linbro (up to 106)
Imaging Options:
Visible Light Only
Single Light Path:
Visible Light + UV
Dual Light Paths:
Separate Visible
Light + UV
Cooling Options:
Peltier Cooling:
regulates temperature to +/-0.5°C with a range of 5°C below or 7°C above room temperature
Physical Dimensions:
Depth: 798 mm (31")
Width: 865 mm (35")
Height: 1028 mm (41")
Weight: 161 kg (355 lbs)
ROCK IMAGER 1000
Our largest hotel imager that can store and incubate up to 970 SBS plates or up to 1500 LCP Thin Glass plates. Several imaging options available. Fully automated imaging on a user-defined schedule.
Compatible Plate Types (Capacity):
SBS (970)
Microbatch (970)
LCP Thin Glass (1500)
Imaging Options:
Visible Light Only
Single Light Path:
Visible Light + UV
Dual Light Paths:
Separate Visible
Light + UV
Multi-Fluorescence Imaging
Cooling Options:
Peltier Cooling:
regulates temperature to +/-0.5°C with a range of 5°C below or 7°C above room temperature
Compressor Cooling:
regulates temperature from 4° C to 19° C with ambient temperature from 16° C to 30° C
Physical Dimensions:
Peltier Cooling
Depth: 1145 mm (46")
Width: 932 mm (37")
Height: 2211 mm (88")
Weight: 387 kg (854 lbs)
Compressor Cooling
Depth: 1147 mm (46")
Width: 1442 mm (57")
Height: 2102 mm (83")
Weight: 399 kg (880 lb)
ROCK IMAGER 1000 - Dual Imager (SONICC or FRAP)
Our largest hotel imager that can store and incubate up to 970 SBS plates or up to 1500 LCP Thin Glass plates, plus an additional imager (either SONICC or FRAP). This can greatly increase your throughput and save space in your lab. Fully automated imaging on a user-defined schedule.
Compatible Plate Types (Capacity):
SBS (970)
Microbatch (970)
LCP Thin Glass (1500)
Imaging Options:
Visible Light Only
Single Light Path:
Visible Light + UV
Dual Light Paths:
Separate Visible
Light + UV
Multi-Fluorescence Imaging
SONICC
FRAP
Cooling Options:
Peltier Cooling:
regulates temperature to +/-0.5°C with a range of 5°C below or 7°C above room temperature
Compressor Cooling:
regulates temperature from 4° C to 19° C with ambient temperature from 16° C to 30° C
Physical Dimensions:
Peltier Cooling
Depth: 1085 mm (43")
Width: 834 mm (33")
Height: 2197 mm (87")
Weight: 462 kg (1019 lb)
Compressor Cooling
Depth: 1147 mm (46")
Width: 1442 mm (57")
Height: 2102 mm (83")
Weight: 399 kg (880 lb)
Imager Comparison | MUVIS | ROCK IMAGER 1 | ROCK IMAGER 2 | ROCK IMAGER 54 | ROCK IMAGER 182 | ROCK IMAGER 1000 | FRAP | SONICC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SBS Plate Capacity | 1 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 182 | up to 970 | 2 | 1 |
LCP Plate Capacity | 1 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 182 | up to 1500 | 2 | 1 |
Linbro Plate Capacity | 1 | 1 | 1 | up to 28 | 106 (all Linbro) | |||
EasyXtal Support | Yes | Yes | ||||||
Microbatch Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
Peltier Cooling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Compressor Cooling | Optional | |||||||
Scheduled Imaging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
UV Imaging | Yes | Yes | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | ||
Multi-Fluorescent Imaging | Optional | Optional | ||||||
SONICC or FRAP Dual Imager | Optional |
UV Compatibility
Not all crystallography consumables are compatible with ultraviolet light. Cover media can either block the excitation light (absorb UV radiation in the 250-320nm band) or it can fluoresce in the same band that tryptophan does, creating a high level of background noise (this is a process commonly called autofluorescence). Crystallization plates can also autofluoresce, increasing unwanted noise. The challenge of absorption is not a problem in crystallization plates for we have positioned the UV light source and camera of our imagers above the plates.
[The term ´autofluorescence´ is a bit of a misnomer. Typically, you've done something to make your target fluoresce, and this noise-contributing fluorescence happens automatically, hence autofluorescence. Here, we're using the intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan, which is the exception rather than the rule in fluorescence microscopy. Our desired signal is, in a sense, already autofluorescence. In this document though, we use the term autofluorescence to refer to undesired noise from the cover media or plate.]
To recap, there are three consumable-related problems that could reduce the signal-to-noise ratio while imaging using UV light (listed in the order of what seems most common/serious):
-
- Crystallization plate could autofluoresce, increasing noise (common in polystyrene plates).
- Cover media could absorb some/all of the UV excitation light, reducing the signal strength.
[Note: This can be partially recovered with longer exposure times]
- Cover media could autofluoresce, increasing noise (common in glass cover slides).
Notes:
- Plates and cover media that offer "low birefringence" seem to also have low autofluorescence. This is the best rule of thumb we´ve found so far.
- At least twice, media manufacturers have changed formulations for some nonrelated reason (hydrophilicity, optical properties, etc.) and inadvertently decreased UV performance. The two cases we´ve noted were for TTP LabTech´s ViewDrop sheets and Hampton Research´s glass cover slides. We have notified both manufacturers, and they are interested in addressing their respective problems.
Formulations for given plastics/glasses may change with time which may affect UV performance. Unfortunately, because of this, we cannot 100% guarantee that the consumables that we have tested will have the exact UV properties every time you use them. These results are from FORMULATRIX-derived, in-house testing and should be used only as suggestions into what consumables to use for UV imaging.
UV Performance Rating Scale:
- GREAT: high signal transmission and low autofluorescence. Great for long-term use.
- GOOD: lacking in either signal strength or low autofluorescence. Investigate before committing to long-term use.
- OK: even more lacking in either signal strength or low autofluorescence, but still useful. Would most likely require improvement for long-term use.
- BAD: flawed, but useable for investigation/demonstrations. Not acceptable for long-term use.
- UNUSABLE: critically flawed, do not use.
- UNRELIABLE: UV performance varies due to changes in manufacturing.
Hanging Drop Cover Seal | Part # | Performance | Transmission | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Art Robbins Hanging Drop Seal | 600-4006-00 | GREAT | 72% | None |
Excel Scientific CrystalSeal HD | ZAF-PE-50 | GREAT | 67% | None |
QIAGEN 96-well Hanging Drop Seal | OK | 61% | Autofluorescent | |
SWISSCI UVP Hanging Drop Seal | HDP-UVP-96T01 | GREAT | 84% | None |
TTP LabTech ViewDrop Sheets | 4150-05100 | BAD | 18% | None |
TTP LabTech ViewDrop II Sheets | 4150-05600 | UNUSABLE | None |
Formulations for given plastics/glasses may change with time which may affect UV performance. Unfortunately, because of this, we cannot 100% guarantee that the consumables that we have tested will have the exact UV properties every time you use them. These results are from FORMULATRIX-derived, in-house testing and should be used only as suggestions into what consumables to use for UV imaging.
UV Performance Rating Scale:
- GREAT: high signal transmission and low autofluorescence. Great for long-term use.
- GOOD: lacking in either signal strength or low autofluorescence. Investigate before committing to long-term use.
- OK: even more lacking in either signal strength or low autofluorescence, but still useful. Would most likely require improvement for long-term use.
- BAD: flawed, but useable for investigation/demonstrations. Not acceptable for long-term use.
- UNUSABLE: critically flawed, do not use.
- UNRELIABLE: UV performance varies due to changes in manufacturing.
Sitting Drop Cover Seal | Part # | Performance | Transmission | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Axygen PlateMax | UC-500 | GREAT | None | |
Excel Scientific Classic ThermalSeal Sealing Films | 100-THER-PLT | GOOD | 73% | None |
Excel Scientific ThermalSeal RT2 Sealing Films | TS-RT2-100 | UNUSABLE | 1% | None |
Excel Scientific ThermalSeal RTS Sealing Films | TSS-RTQ-100 | GREAT | 93% | None |
Greiner Viewseal | 676070 | GREAT | 83% | None |
Hampton Clear Seal Sheets | HR4-521 | GREAT | 90% | Lot #: MR61733/7054 |
Hampton Crystal Clear Sheets | HR3-609 | UNUSABLE | 0% | None |
Formulations for given plastics/glasses may change with time which may affect UV performance. Unfortunately, because of this, we cannot 100% guarantee that the consumables that we have tested will have the exact UV properties every time you use them. These results are from FORMULATRIX-derived, in-house testing and should be used only as suggestions into what consumables to use for UV imaging.
As far as we can tell, Hampton provides four options with two choices for glass cover slides - siliconized or unsiliconized, and Tecan-compatible or not. We have tested older siliconized, non-Tecan slides and they work well. Both varieties of Tecan-compatible slides we found to autofluoresce.
General Cover Slide Guidance:
- Siliconized, non-Tecan: work very well, but is an older and possibly discontinued formulation/material
- Unsiliconized, non-Tecan: no data - awaiting samples from Hampton
- Siliconized, Tecan: autofluoresces, essentially unusable
- Unsiliconized, Tecan: autofluoresces, essentially unusable
UV Performance Rating Scale:
- GREAT: high signal transmission and low autofluorescence. Great for long-term use.
- GOOD: lacking in either signal strength or low autofluorescence. Investigate before committing to long-term use.
- OK: even more lacking in either signal strength or low autofluorescence, but still useful. Would most likely require improvement for long-term use.
- BAD: flawed, but useable for investigation/demonstrations. Not acceptable for long-term use.
- UNUSABLE: critically flawed, do not use.
- UNRELIABLE: UV performance varies due to changes in manufacturing.
Cover Slide | Part # | Performance | Transmission | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Greiner Siliconized, 18mm Round | 501870 | UNUSABLE | 5% | None |
Hampton Siliconized, 12mm Round | HR3-277 | GOOD | 85% | Mildly Autofluorescent |
Hampton Siliconized, 12mm Round, Tecan | HR3-278T | UNUSABLE | 4% | Autofluorescent |
Hampton Siliconized, 12mm Round Thick | HR8-088 | BAD | 46% | Autofluorescent |
Hampton Siliconized, 18mm Round | HR3-239 | GOOD | 87% | None |
Hampton Siliconized, 22mm Round | HR3-231 | GOOD | 87% | None |
Hampton Siliconized, 22mm Round Thick | HR3-247 | BAD | 42% | None |
Hampton Siliconized, 22mm Square | HR3-215 | GOOD | 85% | None |
Hampton Siliconized, 22mm Square Thick | HR3-223 | BAD | 45% | None |
Formulations for given plastics/glasses may change with time which may affect UV performance. Unfortunately, because of this, we cannot 100% guarantee that the consumables that we have tested will have the exact UV properties every time you use them. These results are from FORMULATRIX-derived, in-house testing and should be used only as suggestions into what consumables to use for UV imaging.
If a plate is polystyrene chances are it'll have some sort of autofluorescence. The autofluorescence intensity varies from strong to weak. Polyolefin seems to work great, as does polypropylene (which unfortunately does not perform well optically under visible light). Curved-bottom wells tend to be usable in spite of small amounts of autofluorescence, but the trend is that flat-bottomed plates tend to be much better.
UV Performance Rating Scale:
- GREAT: high signal transmission and low autofluorescence. Great for long-term use.
- GOOD: lacking in either signal strength or low autofluorescence. Investigate before committing to long-term use.
- OK: even more lacking in either signal strength or low autofluorescence, but still useful. Would most likely require improvement for long-term use.
- BAD: flawed, but useable for investigation/demonstrations. Not acceptable for long-term use.
- UNUSABLE: critically flawed, do not use.
- UNRELIABLE: UV performance varies due to changes in manufacturing.
Plate Type | Part # | Drop Type | Performance |
---|---|---|---|
Axygen 96-1 | N/A | Sitting | BAD |
Corning COC, 96-1, round bottom, not treated | 3556 | Sitting | GREAT |
Corning COC, 96-3, conical flat bottom, not treated | 3553 | Sitting | GREAT |
Corning COC, 96-1, conical flat bottom, treated for hydrophilicity | 3551 | Sitting | GREAT |
Corning COC, 96-3, 1ul conical flat bottom, not treated | 3550 | Sitting | GREAT |
Corning CrystalEX, 96-1, round bottom, not treated | 3773 | Sitting | GOOD |
Greiner Crystal Bridge for Combo Plate | 662145 | Sitting | BAD |
Greiner Crystal Quick 96-3 flat well | 609830 | Sitting | GREAT |
Greiner Crystal Quick 96-3 round well | 609820 | Sitting | BAD |
Greiner CrystalQuick 96-1 low profile | 609180 | Sitting | OK |
Greiner CrystalQuick 96-1, low profile, square wells | Sitting | GOOD | |
Greiner CrystalQuick 96-1, Square wells | 609871 | Sitting | GOOD |
Innovaplate SD2 / MRC2 96-2 | HR3-082 | Sitting | GOOD |
Intelli-Plate 24-4 | 102-0004-00 | Sitting | UNUSEABLE |
Intelli-Plate 48-2 | 102-0002-00 | Sitting | OK |
Intelli-Plate 96-2 | 102-0011-00 | Sitting | BAD |
Intelli-Plate 96-3 | 102-0001-03 | Sitting | UNUSEABLE |
Intelli-Plate CrystalMation 96-3 | 102-0001-13 | Sitting | UNUSEABLE |
Intelli-Plate LVR 96-2 | 102-0001-00 | Sitting | UNUSEABLE |
Intelli-Plate LVR 96-3 | 102-0001-03 | Sitting | UNUSEABLE |
MiTeGen In-Situ-1 | InSitu-01CL | Sitting & Hanging | GREAT |
MRC 96-3 (Swissci) | HR-123 | Sitting | GOOD |
MRC Maxi 48 PS (Swissci) | MD11-004 | Sitting | BAD |
MRC Maxi 48-1 UVP (Swissci) | HR3-179 | Sitting | GREAT |
Qiagen NeXtal Evolution | 132045 | Sitting | OK |
TTP Labtech 96-3 | 4150-05823 | Sitting | GOOD |
UVXPO 2 Lens (Swissci) | UVXPO-2LENS | Sitting | GREAT |
Formulations for given plastics/glasses may change with time which may affect UV performance. Unfortunately, because of this, we cannot 100% guarantee that the consumables that we have tested will have the exact UV properties every time you use them. These results are from FORMULATRIX-derived, in-house testing and should be used only as suggestions into what consumables to use for UV imaging.
LCP Plate Material | Part # | %T at 300 nm |
---|---|---|
Laminex UV Plastic Cover | MD11-52 | 85% |
Laminex Film Cover | MD11-54 | 80% |
Laminex UV Plastic Base | MD11-51 | 80% |
Laminex Glass Base | MD11-50 | 13% |
Laminex Glass Cover | MD11-52 | 18% |
Marienfeld Glass Base | HR3-151 | 50% |
Marienfeld Glass Cover | 13% |
Computer Specifications
The standard ROCK IMAGER controlling computer offered with the instrument supports imaging with continuous multiple focus level imaging (z-slicing) and processing of all images.
ROCK IMAGER software operates with 64-bit Windows 10 or 64/32 bit Windows 7.
Electrical Specifications
ROCK IMAGER 1 or 2
- RI 1: 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 480 W max, 1 PH
- Computer: 575 W max, 1 PH
- Total Watt Requirement: 1055 W
ROCK IMAGER 54 or 182
- Robotics: 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 480W max, 1 PH
- Computer: 575W max, 1phase
- UPS requirement: APC-SU1500 or equivalent
ROCK IMAGER 1000 - Peltier Cooled
- Temperature Regulation: 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 750 W max, 1 PH
- Robotics: 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 240 W max, 1 PH
- Computer: 525 W max, 1 PH
- Recommended UPS: 1500 W UPS
ROCK IMAGER 1000 - Compressor Cooled
- Temperature Regulation : 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 400 W max, 1 PH
- Robotics: 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 240 W max, 1 PH
- Computer: 525 W max, 1 PH
- Compressor Unit: 208-230 V, 50-60 Hz, 2000 W max,1 PH, 2 outlets
- Recommended Emergency for Cooling: Peltier Cooled (1500 W), Compressor Cooled (5000 W)
ROCK IMAGER 1000 - Dual Imager
- Temperature Regulation: 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 750 W max, 1 PH
- Robotics: 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 270 W max, 1 PH
- Computer: 525 W max, 1 PH
- UPS (uninterrupted power supply) Requirement:
RI1000 w/ FRAP: 3510 W
RI1000 w/ SONCC: 4700 W
Software Documentation
Help Files
Software Installation
Looking to install this software?
If you're a current user, please email support@formulatrix.com
If you're interested in purchasing, please email sales@formulatrix.com to learn more.