Bio-Rad Laboratories – ChemiDoc Go

Best bench top innovation

Gel and western blot imaging are cornerstone techniques in life sciences research for protein analysis, enabling the identification, quantification, and characterization of proteins involved in various biological processes. These methods are widely used in disease research, biomarker discovery, drug development, and cell signalling studies, providing vital insights into protein expression, post-translational modifications, and interactions, which are crucial for understanding health and disease mechanisms.

Increasing Accessibility Through Benchtop Imaging
Benchtop imaging instruments, such as compact chemiluminescence and fluorescence-based systems, have made these techniques more accessible in laboratory settings, offering high sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities. However, these technologies still face challenges regarding quantification accuracy, dynamic range, throughput, and ease of use. Overcoming these obstacles is key to improving the reproducibility, efficiency, and scalability of protein analysis in both research and clinical applications.

The ChemiDoc Go Imaging System: Modern Gel and Western Blot Imaging
Representing a groundbreaking step forward in imaging technology, Bio-Rad’s ChemiDoc Go Imaging System is designed to capture gel and western blot images directly from the benchtop without compromising sensitivity or precision. Supporting a wide range of detection methods—from chemiluminescence to multiplex fluorescence—it features a state-of-the-art complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera, all-LED illumination, and secure cloud connectivity, offering high performance, ease of use, and scalability.

High-Resolution CMOS Camera for Superior Imaging
Equipped with a 20.4 MP cooled CMOS camera, the ChemiDoc Go delivers unparalleled image clarity and sensitivity for both gel and western blot imaging. Compared to traditional CCD sensors, this advanced CMOS technology offers higher pixel density, improved power efficiency, and greater reliability. Features like digital zoom and autofocus allow researchers to easily capture high-quality images for accurate protein quantification and analysis. Built to meet the rigorous demands of life science imaging, the ChemiDoc Go has been developed to add value across a broad range of applications.

Small Footprint, Big Results
With support for multiple tray types—UV/Stain-Free, Blue, and White—the system offers exceptional versatility for a wide range of nucleic acid and protein stains. Its compact footprint makes it ideal for space-constrained labs, without compromising performance. Despite this, the ChemiDoc Go boasts a large imaging area, and is therefore compatible with large format gels and blots, and up to four mini gels or blots simultaneously.
The first imager with secure BR.io cloud connectivity, ChemiDoc Go enables seamless workflow integration, simplified image access and analysis, and automatic software updates. Acquired images are automatically exported to the BR.io cloud, which provides free data storage, and offers a single platform to store both proteomic and genomic experimental data. The system is also compatible with the latest Image Lab Software, including the Security Edition, facilitating compliance with U.S. FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic record keeping. 

Advanced Illumination Technology
Replacing traditional fluorescent tubes, the ChemiDoc Go uses all-LED light sources for both epi- and transillumination. This upgrade delivers consistent performance, enhanced energy efficiency, and longer bulb life. Built-in blue, amber, and UV LED arrays ensure uniform illumination and broaden the system’s application range, including Coomassie staining and chemiluminescence detection. The ChemiDoc Go is also optimized for multiplex fluorescence using Bio-Rad’s StarBright Blue Fluorescent Secondary Antibodies —for ultra-sensitive detection with minimal background —supporting a wide range of multiplexing needs.

Simple and Safe Gel Excision
The ChemiDoc Go streamlines gel excision for both UV/Stain-Free and Blue Trays. Researchers can safely visualize and extract target bands directly on the instrument using the high-powered UV illumination with the UV-shield accessory, or the enhanced sensitivity of the Blue Tray. Combined with an intuitive interface and Image Lab Touch software, users can precisely control blue light intensity for accurate, safe band excision.

Streamlining Western Blotting with Stain-Free Technology
The ChemiDoc Go allows researchers to fully utilize the benefits of Stain-Free western blotting technology, streamlining workflows and increasing throughput by enabling total protein normalization without the need for traditional staining and destaining. Proteins are separated by electrophoresis on gels activated under UV light, allowing a fluorescent dye within the polyacrylamide gel to covalently bind to amino acids in the proteins. This enables visualization both in-gel and on the membrane post-transfer.

Acquire, Save, Quantify, Report, and Publish with Ease
The ChemiDoc Go Imaging System is more than a simple upgrade—it represents a monumental shift in lab imaging. With advanced hardware, intelligent software, and a cloud-first approach, the benchtop instrument enables researchers to work faster and more efficiently, while producing publication-ready results with ease, and advancing our understanding of health and disease mechanisms.