Bio-Rad Gel Doc™ XR+ System - Manual (Page 25)

Page 25 of 42
Section 5 Operation of the Universal Hood II
5.1 Operating the unit
The Gel Doc  XR and ChemiDoc XRS Systems are easy-to-use instruments. In the
Quantity One  acquisition window on your computer, select Live/Focus mode and adjust
your image position, size, focus, and intensity using the lens controls. After the image is
optimized, capture the image. A typical procedure is described below.
5.1.1 Switch on the Universal Hood II
1. Turn on the Universal Hood II main switch (on the rear bottom left side of the enclosure).
2. Turn on the computer and start the software.
3. Select the acquisition mode from the File menu.
NOTE: Turn the power on for Cameras if not already done so.
5.1.2 Position your gel
1. Open the door of the Universal Hood II.
2. Press the Epi-Illumination button to turn on the Epi White lights.
3. Center your gel on the transilluminator platen and close the door.
4. Adjust the lens Iris, Zoom, and Focus while looking at the computer screen.
5. Open the door and re-position the gel if necessary.
6. If using the White Light Conversion screen or the White Light Transilluminator, focusing
is easily achieved if the Iris is slightly closed.
5.1.3 Acquire an image
1. Press the appropriate light source for your sample
2. Select an integration time (see software manual for details).
3. When a satisfactory image is seen click Freeze.
5.1.4 Acquiring an image with Flat Fielding:
Note: This applies to ChemiDoc  XRS systems only where Flat Fielding is made
available for acquiring images with UV or White Light Transillumination.
1. Center your sample on the platen.
2. Turn ON the UV or White Light Transilluminator.
3. Adjust zoom, focus and iris to get the best possible image in Live/Focus mode.
4. Make sure that the box labeled “Flat Fielding” is checked to enable Flat Fielding.
5. Select Auto Expose or Manual Expose.
6. Following the exposure, a window will open asking if you would like to use a saved
reference image for Flat Fielding.
7. Select NO unless you have recently acquired a Flat Field reference image and are still
using the same illumination and lens settings.
8. Select YES if you are using the same lens and illumination settings that were used to
previously generate a Flat Field reference image file. See image on the following page.