The quality and quantity of purified nucleic acids
and proteins play a key role in most of the genetic engineering related
experiments. Nanodrop Lite is a microvolume Uv-Vis Spectrophotometer used to
measure the purity and concentrations of nucleic acids and proteins. A sample
volume of only 1 µl is required for
detrmining its concentration and purity. The nanodrop emits UV rays ranging
from 260nm to 280 nm in wavelength through the sample at a path length of
0.5mm. The rays are then captured using a silicon photodiode and the readings
converted to concentration using built in software. The instrument has to be
blanked first using the solvent used to dissolve your sample. The absorbance of
the sample is then measured, normalized against the blank and calculated and
converted to equivalent concentratrion using the preloaded molar extiction
coeffitients based on type of sample used. The dtection range for double
stranded DNA is between 4 ng/µl to 1500 ng/µl and for that of protein standard
Bovine sreum albumin is 0.12 mg/ml to 45mg/ml. It also calculates the purity of
nucleic acids by taking the ratio of absorbance at 260nm and 280nm.