Using HP scanjet as densitometer

[Don Jackson]

In article <445790541wnr at genesys.demon.co.uk>, Duncan at genesys.demon.co.uk
(Duncan Clark) wrote:

> In article: <gkrause.33.0028B039 at cc.cms.wayne.edu>  gkrause at cc.cms.wayne.edu (Gary Krause) writes:
> > I have seen occasionl references to using a commercial flat-bed scanner, such 
> > as a Hewlett-Packard Scanjet IIsx, as a densitometer.  I do a lot of 
> > autoradiography and Western blotting and would like a relatively inexpensive 
> > densitometer.  Hardware and software recommendations are most welcome...
I've done this with scanned images and analyzed them with a program called
"NIH IMAGE", available by ftp from info-mac archives and elsewhere.  The
user interface is so-so but the price is GREAT-it's public domain so it's
100 % free (or at least your tax $ have already paid for it).

also, Duncan Clark asked:  
...What
> happens if one scans a EtBr DNA gel? If one uses a narrow range filter over
> the CCD detector will one have a scanner for DNA gels. I don't know whether
> the optics would pass the 300nm through to the gel but if so would this be an 
> economical alternative to CCD cameras...

My guess would be:
1.  Squished gel from weight of scanner lid
2.  Gel buffer in scanner -> bummed out electronics.
But then again, I never was the adventuresome type.

Don Jackson