Chapter I: Introduction and Setup Chapter Overview Introduction to the FluorChem Systems and AlphaView Software ·About This Manual Customer Service and Technical Support FluorChem System Setup FlorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide
page 1 FluorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide Chapter 1: Introduction and Setup Chapter Overview • Introduction to the FluorChem Systems and AlphaView Software • About This Manual • Customer Service and Technical Support • FluorChem System Setup
page 2 Chapter:and Setup Introduction to the FluorChem Systems and AlphaView Software The FluorChem Systems are designed to meet the requirements of the most demanding chemiluminescence grate the latest developments in camera and lens technology for imaging chemiluminescent and fluorescent samples with a wide dynamic range and fast image acquisition speeds. The system is controlled by easy-to-use and intuitive AlphaView software which performs image analysis and archiving and can also prepare images for desktop publishing. AlphaView software includes image optimization tools that adjust contrast automatically or manually Convert- or other r such tech- niques can be used to clarify hard-to-see portions of the image.Notes,labels,amrows,lines,and other drawing tools can be recorded directly onto the image using AlphaView software's annotation functions.Annotations are superimposed on the image upon hard copy printing and can either be saved as a template file or as part of the image.All AlphaView features are accessible via convenient on-screen buttons and menus in an intui- tive.mouse-controlled interface. determination,lane profile,band analysis,quantitative PCR,microtiter plate reading,object distance measuring,gel scoring,and automatic colony counting. FluorChem systems include all the necessary hardware and software for image capture,enhancement,and analysis.AlphaView software does not require a dedicated computer system and can operate simultaneously with other office-related software,such as word processing programs,spreadsheets,and desktop publishing software Images can be printed using a 256-level gray scale thermal printer or any printer with a Windowsdriver.The low-cost,high-quality prints are ideal for lab notebook records or publication. The"AlphaView System Quick Guide"on page 42 provides a condensed instruction sheet that acts as a quick reference guide for users already familiar with the software.Keeping copies of the appropriate instruction sheet(s)near the system for easy reference is highly recommended. Mouse Functions The system comes packaged with a two-button mouse.The left button activates functions and makes selec- was most recently assigned to the left mouse button. Starting AlphaView Software osarptiVewgotaedobedktheAphaVewotaeionontewnioidehop FluorChem HD2 and FC2User Guid
page 2 Chapter 1: Introduction and Setup FluorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide Introduction to the FluorChem Systems and AlphaView Software The FluorChem Systems are designed to meet the requirements of the most demanding chemiluminescence assays and also provide the most versatile fluorescence imaging system available today. These systems integrate the latest developments in camera and lens technology for imaging chemiluminescent and fluorescent samples with a wide dynamic range and fast image acquisition speeds. The system is controlled by easy-to-use and intuitive AlphaView® software which performs image analysis and archiving and can also prepare images for desktop publishing. AlphaView software includes image optimization tools that adjust contrast automatically or manually. Converting the image from positive to negative, using digital filters, applying a false color map, or other such techniques can be used to clarify hard-to-see portions of the image. Notes, labels, arrows, lines, and other drawing tools can be recorded directly onto the image using AlphaView software’s annotation functions. Annotations are superimposed on the image upon hard copy printing and can either be saved as a template file or as part of the image. All AlphaView features are accessible via convenient on-screen buttons and menus in an intuitive, mouse-controlled interface. AlphaView software also includes a broad array of analysis tools, including molecular weight calculation, Rf determination, lane profile, band analysis, quantitative PCR, microtiter plate reading, object distance measuring, gel scoring, and automatic colony counting. FluorChem systems include all the necessary hardware and software for image capture, enhancement, and analysis. AlphaView software does not require a dedicated computer system and can operate simultaneously with other office-related software, such as word processing programs, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing software. Images can be printed using a 256-level gray scale thermal printer or any printer with a Windows® driver. The low-cost, high-quality prints are ideal for lab notebook records or publication. The “AlphaView System Quick Guide” on page 42 provides a condensed instruction sheet that acts as a quick reference guide for users already familiar with the software. Keeping copies of the appropriate instruction sheet(s) near the system for easy reference is highly recommended. Mouse Functions The system comes packaged with a two-button mouse. The left button activates functions and makes selections when using the software. In some cases, the right mouse button can recall or reactivate the function that was most recently assigned to the left mouse button. Starting AlphaView Software To start AlphaView software, double-click the AlphaView software icon on the Windows desktop
About This Manual About This Manual This manual uses different fonts to indicate certain conditions: Bold text indicates the name of a button,a menu,or a function found in a menu. Courier text indicates an entry that is typed. Letters or words found between<>refer to keys on the keyboard .NOTE indicates key points and useful hints. CAUTION and !WARNING!statements indicate actions that may either harm the system or user. or affect the data quality. Icons or buttons to be pushed are placed next to their respective descriptions in the text. Customer Service and Technical Support The Cell Biosciences staff is available to respond to any questions or comments about the software.For ques- tions,new software feature ideas,or general feedback,use the following contact methods: Telephone (408)510-5500 (888)607-9692(toll firee) Fax (408)510-5599 E-mail support@cellbiosciences.com Web www.cellbiosciences.com Address Cell Biosciences.Inc Santa Clara.CA95051 USA FluorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide
About This Manual page 3 FluorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide About This Manual This manual uses different fonts to indicate certain conditions: • Bold text indicates the name of a button, a menu, or a function found in a menu. • Courier text indicates an entry that is typed. • Letters or words found between < > refer to keys on the keyboard. • NOTE indicates key points and useful hints. • CAUTION and !WARNING! statements indicate actions that may either harm the system or user, or affect the data quality. • Icons or buttons to be pushed are placed next to their respective descriptions in the text. Customer Service and Technical Support The Cell Biosciences staff is available to respond to any questions or comments about the software. For questions, new software feature ideas, or general feedback, use the following contact methods: Telephone (408) 510-5500 (888) 607-9692 (toll free) Fax (408) 510-5599 E-mail support@cellbiosciences.com Web www.cellbiosciences.com Address Cell Biosciences, Inc. 3040 Oakmead Village Drive Santa Clara, CA 95051 USA
Chapter:and Setup FluorChem System Setup System Components The FluorChem systems include the following .High-performance,high resolution,CCD camera Manual f/2.8 28-70mm zoom lens or other optional lens Computer with keyboard,mouse,and monitor (optional) Windows operating system (pre-installed) AlphaView image processing and analysis software(pre-installed and calibrated with computer and hardware system) Multilmage l FC light cabinet containing a UV transilluminator.white light fold-down transilluminator and epi white lights with interference filter ·Fast lens(optional) Epi-illuminating UV lights(optional 254nm or 365nm) ·Printer(optional ChromaLight(optional) Upon receiving the system,it is critical to check the enclosed packing list to verify that all components are properly included. System Placement As with all electrical instruments,the FluorChem systems should be located on a table or bench top that is dry and stable,and away from water,solvents,or corrosive materials.In addition,the system should be placed away from interfering electrical signals and magnetic fields.If possible,a dedicated electrical outlet should be used to eliminate electrical interference from other laboratory instrumentation. Cable Connections The cable connectors and their respective mating ports are keyed or unique for each connection to eliminate potential wrong mating.The connections are illustrated and described later in this chapter WARNING Make sure that the power is OFF and all power cords are disconnected while connecting the cables and setting up the system. FluorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide
page 4 Chapter 1: Introduction and Setup FluorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide FluorChem System Setup System Components The FluorChem systems include the following: • High-performance, high resolution, CCD camera • Manual f/2.8 28-70mm zoom lens or other optional lens • Computer with keyboard, mouse, and monitor (optional) • Windows operating system (pre-installed) • AlphaView image processing and analysis software (pre-installed and calibrated with computer and hardware system) • MultiImage® II FC light cabinet containing a UV transilluminator, white light fold-down transilluminator and epi white lights with interference filter • Fast lens (optional) • Epi-illuminating UV lights (optional 254nm or 365nm) • Printer (optional) • ChromaLight (optional) Upon receiving the system, it is critical to check the enclosed packing list to verify that all components are properly included. System Placement As with all electrical instruments, the FluorChem systems should be located on a table or bench top that is dry and stable, and away from water, solvents, or corrosive materials. In addition, the system should be placed away from interfering electrical signals and magnetic fields. If possible, a dedicated electrical outlet should be used to eliminate electrical interference from other laboratory instrumentation. Cable Connections The cable connectors and their respective mating ports are keyed or unique for each connection to eliminate potential wrong mating. The connections are illustrated and described later in this chapter. !WARNING! Make sure that the power is OFF and all power cords are disconnected while connecting the cables and setting up the system
FluorChem System Setup Hardware Installation All software.peripheral drivers,and operating systems come factory-installed on computers purchased directly from Cell Biosciences.All components must be mated only to their correct ports during system instal- lation. Power Strip/Surge Protector Setup Tum the power strip/surge protector power switch of.Plug the power strip/surge protector into a wall outlet (preferably a dedicated circuit)and tum the power on. CAUTION Do not plug the DE-500/DE-500 FC Multilmage ll light cabinet into the same power strip as the FluorChem system.Using a separate circuit is highly recommended.The cabinet must be tumed on after the computer's operating system has launched for the software to function properly. Computer,Monitor,Mouse,and Keyboard Setup The computer must have the monitor,mouse.and keyboard connected in the correct ports(see Figure I-1). Astandard three-pronoer cable shoud be plugedin the back of the computer and the power strip FluorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide
FluorChem System Setup page 5 FluorChem HD2 and FC2 User Guide Hardware Installation All software, peripheral drivers, and operating systems come factory-installed on computers purchased directly from Cell Biosciences. All components must be mated only to their correct ports during system installation. Power Strip/Surge Protector Setup Turn the power strip/surge protector power switch off. Plug the power strip/surge protector into a wall outlet (preferably a dedicated circuit) and turn the power on. CAUTION Do not plug the DE-500/DE-500 FC MultiImage II light cabinet into the same power strip as the FluorChem system. Using a separate circuit is highly recommended. The cabinet must be turned on after the computer’s operating system has launched for the software to function properly. Computer, Monitor, Mouse, and Keyboard Setup The computer must have the monitor, mouse, and keyboard connected in the correct ports (see Figure 1-1). A standard three-prong power cable should be plugged into the back of the computer and the power strip