An integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis

Abstract

The present invention provides an integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiments, which relates to the technical field of laboratory equipment. The sampler includes drainage teeth and a plurality of sample loading slots. The drainage teeth include a plurality of main comb teeth and a comb back. The number of sample loading slots is the same as that of the main comb teeth and they are arranged in one-to-one correspondence. A sample outlet is provided at the bottom of the sample loading slot. The main comb teeth can be attached to the sample outlet to seal the sample outlet. After the drainage teeth are inserted into the stacking gel, at least the upper sample loading port of the sample loading slot is located above the stacking gel, and the sample loading slot is used to prestore samples. The solution provided by the present invention can effectively simplify the sample loading steps and increase the sample loading accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of laboratory equipment, and particularly to an integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiments. Background Art

[0002] Western Blot is also known as protein blotting, which is a commonly used method in molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunogenetics. Its basic principle is that after a cell or biological tissue sample is processed by gel electrophoresis, a specific antibody is used to stain it. By analyzing the position and depth of the stain, the expression of a specific protein in the sample can be determined.

[0003] In the experiment, it is necessary to prepare the separating gel and stacking gel in advance, insert the loading comb into the stacking gel, and after the stacking gel solidifies, gently hold both sides of the loading comb and carefully pull it out. After the entire system is filled with electrophoresis buffer, a micropipette is inserted into the loading well to slowly add the sample. In actual operation, three problems often occur: First, when pulling out the loading comb, the force is uneven, resulting in a change in the shape of the loading well. Whether it is narrow or wide, it will affect subsequent loading, thus affecting the final band shape of Western Blot. Second, since the stacking gel has no color, beginners are very likely to add the sample wrongly or outside the loading well during loading, resulting in experimental failure or delayed loading. When the last well is completed, the samples in the previous wells have completely diffused due to Brownian motion, causing the bands of Western Blot to merge into a single line and the results to be indistinguishable. Third, when the sample contains substances such as high-molecular sucrose, sedimentation will occur when the sample contacts the electrophoresis buffer during loading. If bubbles are generated when adding too quickly or there are trace bubbles during sample aspiration, it will cause the sample to overflow from the loading well, resulting in inaccurate loading volume and affecting the analysis and judgment of Western Blot results. Therefore, the accuracy of loading directly affects the result analysis of Western Blot bands, and there is an urgent need for a new type of loading device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiments to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, and can effectively simplify the loading steps and increase the loading accuracy.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] The present invention provides an integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiments, which includes drainage teeth and a plurality of sample loading slots. The drainage teeth include a plurality of main comb teeth and a comb back. The number of the sample loading slots is the same as that of the main comb teeth and they are arranged in one-to-one correspondence. An outlet is provided at the bottom of the sample loading slot. The main comb teeth can be attached to the outlet to close the outlet. After the drainage teeth are inserted into the stacking gel, at least the upper sample loading ports of the sample loading slots are located above the stacking gel, and the sample loading slots are used for pre-storing samples.

[0007] Preferably, it further includes a plurality of support plates. The drainage teeth further include a plurality of side comb teeth. The number of the side comb teeth is twice that of the main comb teeth. The number of the support plates is the same as that of the sample loading slots. Any one of the main comb teeth corresponds to two of the side comb teeth, and the two side comb teeth are respectively arranged on both sides of the main comb tooth. The upper end of the support plate is fixedly connected to the sample loading slot. The plurality of sample loading slots are fixedly connected as a whole. There is a gap between any adjacent support plates. One support plate corresponds to one main comb tooth. A partition is provided on one side of the support plate. The side comb teeth and the main comb teeth are respectively located on the side of the support plate where the partition is provided, and partitions are provided between the side comb teeth and the main comb teeth. The side comb teeth and the main comb teeth are closely attached to the support plate and the partition. The partition extends towards the top surface of the sample loading slot. During use, the sample loading slot is located above the stacking gel.

[0008] Preferably, the outlet is opened on the wall surface of the sample loading slot between the two partitions.

[0009] Preferably, the inner cavity of the sample loading slot has a structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part.

[0010] Preferably, a comb back extension is further provided on the side of the comb back facing the sample loading slot. The comb back extension is used for lapping on the upper edge of the sample loading slot.

[0011] Preferably, the inner wall of the sample loading slot is a smooth arc surface.

[0012] Preferably, boundary comb teeth are provided on both sides of the drainage teeth.

[0013] The present invention has achieved the following technical effects compared with the prior art:

[0014] 1. It is simple and convenient, with strong operability, and solves the problems existing in traditional sample loading. It avoids the problems of misloading the sample outside the sample loading hole or sample loading delay. By pulling out the drainage teeth, all the samples slowly flow into the sample loading hole together.

[0015] 2. Greatly simplifies the sample loading operation process. For ordinary sample loading, a micropipette is required. After loading one well by deeply inserting into the sample well, to avoid sample contamination, it is necessary to repeatedly clean and then load the second well, which is extremely time-consuming. This design uses a funnel-shaped sample loading groove, eliminating the need to deeply insert into the sample well. Simply replacing the conventional pipette tip can complete the sample loading operation between different wells.

[0016] 3. It has strong practicability and can avoid the problem that bubbles formed during rapid sample loading carry the sample out of the sample well. By gently pulling out the funnel-shaped sample loading groove, the electrophoresis solution and the sample come into contact in a small area at the bottom of the sample well, preventing inaccurate sample loading caused by sample overflow and perfectly realizing the sedimentation of the sample in the sample well. Description of the Drawings

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiment provided by the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 the front view of

[0020] Figure 3 It is Figure 1 the front view of the drainage teeth in

[0021] Figure 4 It is Figure 1 the schematic structural diagram of the drainage teeth in

[0022] Figure 5 It is Figure 1 the schematic structural diagram of the combination of the sample loading groove and the support plate in

[0023] Figure 6 It is Figure 5 the top view of

[0024] In the figure: 1. Sample loading groove; 11. Sample outlet; 2. Drainage teeth; 21. Main comb teeth; 22. Side comb teeth; 23. Boundary comb teeth; 24. Comb back; 25. Comb back extension; 3. Support plate; 31. Partition; 32. Main comb tooth socket; 33. Side comb tooth socket. Detailed Embodiments

[0025] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0026] The object of the present invention is to provide an integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiments to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, which can effectively simplify the sampling steps and increase the accuracy of sample loading.

[0027] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] The present invention provides an integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiments, as Figures 1 to 6 shown, which includes a drainage tooth 2 and a plurality of sample loading slots 1. The drainage tooth 2 includes a plurality of main comb teeth 21 and a comb back 24. The number of sample loading slots 1 is the same as the number of main comb teeth 21 and is arranged in one-to-one correspondence. A sample outlet 11 is provided at the bottom of the sample loading slot 1. The main comb tooth 21 can be attached to the sample outlet 11 to close the sample outlet 11. After the drainage tooth 2 is inserted into the stacking gel, at least the upper sample loading port of the sample loading slot 1 is located above the stacking gel, and the sample loading slot 1 is used to pre-store the sample.

[0029] During use, the drainage tooth 2 and the sample loading slot 1 are assembled and inserted into the stacking gel. After the stacking gel solidifies, the stacking gel, the drainage tooth 2, and the sample loading slot 1 are placed in the electrophoresis tank together and fixed, and then filled with electrophoresis buffer. Then, the corresponding samples are added into each sample loading slot 1, and the samples are pre-stored in the sample loading slot 1. After adding the samples, the drainage tooth 2 is slowly pulled out from the stacking gel. After the drainage tooth 2 is completely pulled out, the main comb tooth 21 will no longer be able to close the sample outlet 11. At this time, the samples in the sample loading slot 1 will flow into different sample loading holes simultaneously, thereby completing simultaneous sample loading. Therefore, the integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiments provided by the present invention can effectively simplify the sampling steps and increase the accuracy of sample loading.

[0030] In another specific embodiment, the integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiment further includes a plurality of support plates 3. The drainage teeth 2 further include a plurality of side comb teeth 22. The number of side comb teeth 22 is twice that of the main comb teeth 21. The number of support plates 3 is the same as the number of sample loading slots 1. Any one main comb tooth 21 corresponds to two side comb teeth 22, and the two side comb teeth 22 are respectively arranged on both sides of the main comb tooth 21. The upper end of the support plate 3 is fixedly connected to the sample loading slot 1, and a plurality of sample loading slots 1 are fixedly connected into one body. There is a gap between any adjacent support plates 3. One support plate 3 corresponds to one main comb tooth 21. A partition 31 is arranged on one side of the support plate 3. The side comb teeth 22 and the main comb teeth 21 are respectively located on the side of the support plate 3 where the partition 31 is arranged, and partitions 31 are arranged between the side comb teeth 22 and the main comb teeth 21. The side comb teeth 22 and the main comb teeth 21 are in close fit with the support plate 3 and the partition 31. The partition 31 extends upward to the top surface of the sample loading slot 1. A main comb tooth socket 32 is formed between the two partitions 31, and side comb tooth sockets 33 are formed outside the two partitions 31. When in use, the sample loading slot 1 is located above the stacking gel. Before electrophoresis, the drainage teeth 2 are pulled out. At this time, the sample in the sample loading slot 1 flows into the main comb tooth socket 32. The electrophoresis solution in the electrophoresis tank flows into the side comb tooth sockets 33 through the gap between the sample loading slot 1 and the top surface of the stacking gel. Finally, the sample loading slot 1 is pulled upward, and the sample loading slot 1 drives the support plate 3 and the partition 31 below it to be pulled out from the stacking gel. Then, the side comb tooth sockets 33 and the main comb tooth sockets 32 are communicated into an integral hole. The electrophoresis solution in the side comb tooth sockets 33 and the sample flowing to the bottom of the main comb tooth sockets 32 are mixed at the bottom of the integral hole, completely avoiding sample overflow. The integral hole here is the sample loading hole. In other preferred embodiments, boundary comb teeth 23 are provided on both sides of the drainage teeth 2, and a comb back extension 25 is further arranged on the side of the comb back 24 facing the sample loading slot 1. The specific design dimensions are as follows: the height of the comb back 24 is 2 mm, the height of the side comb teeth 22 and the main comb teeth 21 is 20 mm, and the height of the boundary comb teeth 23 is 14 mm. The thickness of the side comb teeth 22, the main comb teeth 21 and the boundary comb teeth 23 is 1.5 mm (taking a 1.5 mm gel plate as an example), and the width of the comb back extension 25 is 0.8 - 1 mm.

[0031] In another specific embodiment, the partition 31 extends upward to one side of the sample loading slot 1, and a sample outlet 11 is opened on the wall surface of the sample loading slot 1 between the two partitions 31.

[0032] In another specific embodiment, the drainage teeth 2 can be completely fitted with the support plate 3, and a sample loading comb with the same length, width and height is formed at the lower end. Therefore, the integrated sampler provided in this embodiment can be regarded as an integrated sample loading comb.

[0033] In another specific embodiment, the inner cavity of the sample loading groove 1 has a structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, and its shape is similar to a funnel structure, which facilitates the sample to flow into the bottom and flow out through the sample outlet 11. In other preferred embodiments, the outer shape of the sample loading groove 1 is rectangular or quasi-rectangular, so as to be placed on a thin gel plate.

[0034] In another specific embodiment, a comb-back extension 25 is further provided on the side of the comb-back 24 facing the sample loading groove 1, and the comb-back extension 25 is used to overlap on the upper edge of the sample loading groove 1.

[0035] In another specific embodiment, the inner wall of the sample loading groove 1 is a smooth arc surface.

[0036] In another specific embodiment, the number of sample loading holes formed by inserting the integrated sampler is preferably but not limited to 10, which can be determined according to experimental needs, and can be 12 or 15. In this embodiment, the thickness of the comb teeth is 1.5 mm, and in actual application, it can also be 1 mm, which is applicable to a 1-mm gel plate. In addition, the side comb teeth 22 and the main comb teeth 21 of the drainage teeth 2 can be of the same width. In this embodiment, the width is 1 mm, or the main comb teeth 21 can be slightly wider, which is specifically adjusted according to the actual situation.

[0037] When used in Western Blot experiments, after preparing the corresponding stacking gel, immediately insert the integrated sampler provided in any of the above embodiments into the stacking gel until the stacking gel solidifies. After fixing the gel plate together with the integrated sampler in the electrophoresis tank, add electrophoresis buffer to the lower edge of the upper sample loading port of the funnel-shaped sample loading groove 1, and then the sample can be added to the upper sample loading port with a conventional pipette tip. By replacing the conventional pipette tip, the sample loading work between different samples can be quickly completed. Then carefully pull out the drainage teeth 2. During this process, the electrophoresis buffer will overflow into the side comb tooth socket 33 formed on one side of the support plate 3, and the sample will flow into the main comb tooth socket 32 through the sample outlet 11 of the sample loading groove 1; finally, carefully and slowly pull out the sample loading groove 1, and then the electrophoresis buffer in the side comb tooth socket 33 will be in close contact with the sample in the main comb tooth socket 32 in a small area at the bottom of the sample loading hole, so as to realize sample sedimentation and completely avoid sample overflow. Both the side comb tooth socket 33 and the main comb tooth socket 32 are part of the sample loading hole.

[0038] In the present invention, specific examples are used to elaborate the principle and implementation mode of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present invention; at the same time, for those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation mode and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiment, characterized in that: It includes drainage teeth and a number of sample loading slots. The drainage teeth include a number of main comb teeth and a comb back. The number of the sample loading slots is the same as that of the main comb teeth and they are arranged in one-to-one correspondence. A sample outlet is provided at the bottom of the sample loading slot. The main comb teeth can be attached to the sample outlet to close the sample outlet. After the drainage teeth are inserted into the stacking gel, at least the upper sample loading ports of the sample loading slots are located above the stacking gel. Samples are pre-stored in the sample loading slots. It also includes a plurality of support plates. The drainage teeth also include a plurality of side comb teeth. The number of the side comb teeth is twice that of the main comb teeth. The number of the support plates is the same as that of the sample loading slots. Any one of the main comb teeth corresponds to two of the side comb teeth, and the two side comb teeth are respectively arranged on both sides of the main comb tooth. The upper end of the support plate is fixedly connected to the sample loading slot. A plurality of the sample loading slots are fixedly connected into one body. There is a gap between any adjacent support plates. One support plate corresponds to one main comb tooth. A partition is provided on one side of the support plate. The side comb teeth and the main comb teeth are respectively located on the side of the support plate where the partition is provided, and the partition is provided between the side comb teeth and the main comb teeth. The side comb teeth and the main comb teeth are in close contact with the support plate and the partition. The partition extends towards the top surface of the sample loading slot. During use, the sample loading slot is located above the stacking gel.

2. The integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiment according to claim 1, wherein: A sample outlet is provided on the wall surface of the sample loading slot between the two partitions.

3. The integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiment according to claim 1, wherein: The inner cavity of the sample loading slot has a funnel-shaped structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part.

4. The integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A comb back extension is also provided on the side of the comb back facing the sample loading slot. The comb back extension is used to overlap the upper edge of the sample loading slot.

5. The integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner wall of the sample loading slot is a smooth arc surface.

6. The integrated sampler for Western Blot protein electrophoresis experiment according to claim 1, wherein: Boundary comb teeth are provided on both sides of the drainage teeth.

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