Abstract: A low cost benchtop molecular beacons (oligonucleotide probes) reader utilizes an array of light emitting diodes to excite the fluorescence of the reaction of the combining of the molecular beacons with actual DNA strands. If the Molecular beacons match with the DNA the reaction will fluoresce a known wavelengths. If there is no match, the reaction will not fluoresce. The molecular beacons reader uses an array of light emitting diodes at given wavelengths. The unit also incorporates the proper filters depending on the wavelength required. The unit has interchangeable cartridges with the filters and light emitting diodes that can be easily changed. The system is used after the PCR process (polymerase chain reaction) and the samples are viewed in PCR strips or PCR plates directly out of a thermocycler. This unit serves as a low cost go-no-go test with easy to use equipment.

Abstract: A fluorescent dyed polymer sheet receives excitation energy from ultraviolet wavelengths from 200 nanometers to 370 nanometers and converts to visible light wavelengths. This conversion allows for use of existing ultraviolet light sources to produce visible light for visualizing, photographing, documenting and analyzing electrophoresis gels produced with visible stains. An ultraviolet transilluminator is designed to fluoresce Ethidium bromide stained gels when exposed to ultraviolet light. This process allows visualization of the DNA and RNA bands providing images that can be photographed with black and white photographic cameras or video cameras. By placing the proper fluorescent dyed polymer on the surface of the ultraviolet transilluminator the polymer sheet receives excitation energy from the ultraviolet bandwidth and converts it to visible light wavelength emissions.

Abstract: A multipurpose all-wavelength intensity monitor for determining and monitoring the output intensity of ultraviolet sources. The unit measures ultraviolet wavelengths of 365 nanometers, 300-312 nanometers, and 254 nanometers without changing sensors or switches and the monitor is based on measurement utilizing a time period with a precalibrated microjuole setting. The intensity is determined by measuring the time period elapsed from the beginning of the monitoring to a tone sound which indicates the end of the monitoring period. This time period is compared to a chart with a curve for each of the ultraviolet wavelengths. Using the curve with the known time elapsed will indicate the intensity output. The monitor indicates loss of intensity by comparing lengthening of the monitored time or by indicating the actual intensity using the time output curves. A modified stopwatch can start the timing when unit is actuated and stop the timing when tone is sounded.

Abstract: A low cost multipurpose electronic ballast for ultraviolet transilluminators and crosslinkers for starting and operating four or more ultraviolet lamps simultaneously. The electronic ballast is designed to be capable of operating with input voltages ranging from 85 volts AC to 250 volts AC and input frequencies ranging from 40 Hertz to 400 Hertz. The output to the lamps comes from a group of capacitors which control the current to the lamps. Because the output comes from capacitive ballasts in parallel, alternate sets of capacitors can be switched to alternate sets of lamps allowing the central ballast control to be used with different sets of lamps. By placing another set of capacitors in parallel with the existing output capacitors and making a momentary connection, a momentary power boost can be achieved. This feature also allows a variable intensity control comprised of a number of different size capacitors in series with the parallel group to vary the total current to all the lamps.