Can Beta-Galactosidase be used as a reporter gene?

[Tony Shen]

Nowadays most scientist use lusiferase or CAT as a reporter gene.
But they need a luminometer or scintillation counter to detect the product. 
Can Beta-Galactosidase be used as a reporter gene?
If so, I could do the reporter assay with a microplate reader.

I want to know whether it is practicable. 





            Tony Shen
            tony_shen at 263.net


Institute Materia Medcia, Chinese Academy of Medical Science
and Peiking Union Medical College