A molecular imager for Quantitative biochemistry

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Quantitative molecular imaging is at the heart of modern biochemistry. It relies on radioisotope labeling, fluorescent labeling or staining of biological macromolecules (protein, RNA and DNA), and accurate detection on modern imaging instruments. Common applications include nucleic acid and protein quantification, Western, Northern and Southern blotting, nucleic acid footprinting, enzymatic studies, thermodynamic characterization and proteomics studies. Here, a modern Molecular Imager, the PharosFX Plus from Bio-Rad, is requested to fulfill the research needs in quantitative biochemistry of the Biochemistry Department at the Université de Montréal. This instrument will replace the outdated MolecularFX Imager purchased from Bio-Rad 10 years ago. It will be available to all members of the Biochemistry Department but will be used mainly by a core of 8 researchers whose research programs depend on such imaging platform. The Molecular Imager will cover needs for quantitative fluorescence imaging and phosphorimaging. Such instrument is indispensable to insure that a large number of research projects can be carried on without major interruptions. It is crucial for understanding key biological processes that are being investigated in the Biochemistry Department at the Université de Montréal and for assisting in the development of new treatments for diseases, such as cancer and viral infections.