A new device which enables safe, UV-free visualisation of EtBr, SYBR Green and SYBR safe gels, is now available through electrophoresis specialist Cleaver Scientific (CSL). SafeCloner means DNA bands can now been seen safely and clearly, using high efficiency LED illumination and filter glasses.

Eliminating harmful UV is an important benefit of SafeCloner, its LED illuminator removes the dangers of conventional transilliminator use, such as stray UV, which, if unchecked, can cause retinal damage. It also eliminates the dangers to technicians of exposing their hands to harmful UV radiation, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and accelerate aging, whilst also damaging DNA.

LED illumination does not damage DNA even after long exposure times. Also, the cloning efficiency of DNA fragments eluted from gels exposed to SafeCloner is significantly improved compared to the cloning efficiency of DNA isolated from traditional UV-illuminated gels. SafeCloner's blue epi-LED illumination and special filter glass result in greater sensitivity and contrast than longer wavelength 365nm transilluminators. SafeCloner can also be used with inexpensive gel documentation products such as the Cleaver Scientific Microdoc unit.