Development of a simple, low-cost, blue light-emitting diode illuminator for hands-on training of DNA detection experiments using agarose gel electrophoresis

DNA detection by agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) is commonly used in molecular biology. AGE is a separation method that provides opportunities for students to learn about the topology and size of DNA molecules. Recently, several fluorescent dyes have been used for DNA staining owing to their convenience, safety, reduced toxicity, and high sensitivity. A blue light-emitting diode (LED) transilluminator is required to detect DNA using fluorescent dyes; however, the associated high cost may limit its availability in classrooms or small laboratories. Therefore, we have designed a simple, low-cost blue LED illuminator to enable easy assembly for instructors and students. We evaluated the performance of the proposed illuminator by observing fluorescent dye-stained DNA markers using AGE, revealing clear DNA marker bands. Despite its limited functionality, the ease of construction and affordability of the proposed illuminator make it sufficient for hands-on molecular biology training in classrooms, thereby enhancing the learning environment and educational efficiency.