Life Science Toolbox for UV/VIS Spectroscopy

UV/VIS Life Science Applications in a Nutshell

UV/VIS Life Science Applications in a Nutshell

UV/VIS Spectrophotometry has become a standard method used on a daily basis in many life science laboratories. This is mainly due to its simplicity; it does not require complex sample preparation, it is easy to perform and results are obtained within seconds.

A typical measurement requires only a small amount of sample, and as it is a non-destructive method, samples can be used for subsequent analyses. The field of life sciences typically applies UV/VIS spectrophotometry in the analysis of nucleic acids, proteins and bacterial cell cultures.

Our UV/VIS Life Science Applications in a Nutshell guide deepens into the most common applications:

• Concentration determination of nucleic acids – DNA and RNA.
• Purity of nucleic acids.
• Concentration determination of proteins by direct measurement or colorimetric assays, study of enzymatic reactions, and monitoring growth curves of bacterial cell suspensions.

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UV/VIS Life Science Applications in a Nutshell

Nucleic Acid Analysis
Protein Analysis
Cell Suspensions
Tips & Hints
Good UV/VIS Practice

Editorial:

UV/VIS Spectroscopy is a very powerful and popular method in life science. It has become a standard method that is used on a daily basis in many laboratories. This is mainly due to its simplicity; it does not require complex sample preparation, it is easy to perform and results are obtained quickly, usually within seconds. A typical measurement requires only a small amount of sample, and as it is a non-destructive method, samples can be used for subsequent analyses. The field of life sciences typically applies UV/VIS spectroscopy in the analysis of nucleic acids, proteins and bacterial cell cultures. The most common applications are the concentration determination of nucleic acids – DNA and RNA – the purity of nucleic acids, the concentration determination of proteins by direct measurement or colorimetric assays, the study of enzymatic reactions, and monitoring growth curves of bacterial cell suspensions. 

Table of contents:

1. Introduction

1.1 Spectrophotometer Instrument Types
1.2 METTLER TOLEDO Solutions for Life Science

2. Nucleic Acid Analysis
2.1 Concentration Determination
2.2 Concentration Determination of Oligos (ssDNA)
2.3 Detection Limits of Nucleic Acids
2.4 Nucleic Acid Purity

3. Protein Analysis
3.1 Protein Concentration Determination
3.1.1 Direct Measurement
3.1.2 Indirect Methods (Colorimetric assays)
3.1.3 Bradford Assay
3.2 Kinetics

4. Concentration of Cell Suspension

5. Tips and Hints
5.1 General Tips and Hints
5.1.1 Cuvette Selection and Handling
5.1.2 Sample Preparation
5.1.3 Measurement Considerations
5.1.4 Effects of pH, Temperature and Ambient Air
5.1.5 Instrument Maintenance
5.2 Tips and Hints for Micro-Volume Measurements
5.2.1 Sample Handling
5.2.2 Cleaning
5.2.3 Instrument Maintenance

6. Good UV/VIS Practice

7. References