Going for Gold

Traditional array detection systems employ fluorescence or radionuclide labeling, but these methods can lead to photobleaching or high background noise. Valencia, Calif.-based QIAGEN recently launched the HiLight™ Array Detection System to address this problem.

The HiLight system uses a method called Resonance Light Scattering (RLS), which takes advantage of the light-scattering properties of nanoscopic metal particles in suspension. When irradiated with white light, these particles scatter light at different wavelengths, depending on particle size, shape, and composition. A solution of 40-nm gold nanoparticles, for example, scatters green light in a manner similar to a fluorescing fluorescein solution and can thus be used as a fluorescence analog in applications in which fluorescent detection is traditionally used.¹

Because the HiLight system uses metal particles rather than chemical labels, photobleaching is eliminated, leading to higher signal-to-noise ratios. This dramatically increases the sensitivity of the system over current array detection methods, explains marketing...