SmartBlue™ Blue Light Transilluminator

Accuris SmartBlue Transilluminators have been developed for viewing DNA gels stained with new, safe fluorescent dyes.  These new dyes, such as SmartGlow, SYBR Green, Gel Green, have an excitation wavelength of 465-470nm (visible blue light), and are safer to use than Ethidium Bromide.

• Blue light, safe for nucleic acids
• Uniform illumination (UI Technology)
• Optimal wavelength (465nm) for common safe stains
• Adjustable position, amber filter covers
• Optional amber viewing glasses: E4000-VG1

Safer for samples, safer for you: Accuris SmartBlue Transilluminators are the perfect partner for the most common safe DNA stains. These instruments emit blue light at a wavelength of 465nm, perfect for excitation of most green fluorophors, including our Accuris’ SmartGlow™, SYBR Green, SYBR Safe, SYBR Gold, GelStar, GelGreen, to name a few.  SmartBlue transilluminators can also works for excitation of EtBr (though fluorescence is not as bright as with UV), see our Technical Bulletin with sample images.   Exposing DNA to blue wavelength does not cause molecular damage, and results in a much higher downstream cloning efficiency as compared to even short UV light exposures.  In addition, the visible blue light is not damaging to the user’s skin and is less harmful to the eyes.*
Adjustable filter cover:  Both the E4101 and E4000 transilluminators come with emission filter covers. These amber covers, which rest above the viewing surface and gel, filter out the blue light, allowing the fluorescing DNA bands to be seen clearly.  The covers can be set to a flat position for general gel viewing or can be set at an angle to provide easy access to the gel for band excision.  The E4000 has a two-position filter cover, and the E4101 features a hinged filter cover.

Optional amber viewing glasses:  Our E4000-VG1 SmartBlue Plus Viewing Glasses offer efficient blocking of the blue light wavelength from the transilluminators, allowing clear visualization of the fluorescing DNA bands without the filter cover in place.  These convenient glasses are recommended for users that are frequently excising DNA bands from gels.  SmartBlue Plus glasses also block 100% of UV wavelength so they can also be used for viewing gels on a UV transilluminator.

UI technology, bright and clear images:  The bright LED light plates and filter layer provides an extremely evenly lit viewing surface. Even in ambient light, bands of DNA can clearly be seen in stained gels. Images obtained using the SmartBlue Transilluminator are brighter and more balanced than those obtained using epi-illuminators which light from the sides.
Reliable, durable and long lasting:  An array of super bright LEDs with a long, 30,000 hour service life provide the light source for the SmartBlue Transilluminators. Unlike those in a UV transilluminator, the filters in the SmartBlue systems will not solarize and degrade in performance over time. Gel bands can be excised directly on the scratch resistant, glass viewing surfaces. To save energy, the power switch includes an automatic 5 minute shutoff. SmartBlue Transilluminators are covered by a 2 year warranty.

* The SmartBlue products use high intensity LED lights.  Although the visible blue wavelength is significantly safer than UV light, it is recommended to not stare directly at the viewing surface without the amber cover in place. 

Specifications