Densitometers can be part of an electrophoresis system. All densitometers should have some minimum components, such as a light source, a monochromatic, and a photo detector.
The densitometer should be able to handle agarose gel and cellulose acetate at a minimum.
Densitometer devices should be capable of taking absorbance readings and will need a light source that can produce wavelengths in the visible range between 390 and 770 nm.
Fluorescence capabilities may be preferable for many applications and/or greater precision. However, not all laboratories need this function.
For densitometer units with fluorescence capability, it is required to have a light source with the ability to produce wavelengths in the ultraviolet range between 200 and 600 nm.
To enable data management and results reporting, a computer interface is desirable.
Facilities with an existing information system should have the densitometer interface with this system, to reduce the need to manually record results and reduce errors in transferring results.
The densitometer should provide a graphic display and a way of producing a hardcopy of results through either an interface to an external printer or a built-in printer.
Facilities can purchase scanning densitometers with or without electrophoresis units.
Combined densitometer systems carry out all operations automatically, from dispensing samples to printing analyzed results; except for application of the gel to the electrophoresis unit, which must be done manually.

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