Control system and method based on protein interaction tester

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of protein molecule experiments, in particular to a control system based on a protein interaction tester and a method thereof. The user operation module is used for providing menu options through a user interface, so that a user can select required parameters; the material supplementing prompting module is used for counting the parameter value selected by the user, comparing the parameter value with the actual detection value, and prompting material supplementing if the actual detection value is smaller than the selected parameter value; the control module comprises a storage unit and an execution unit, experiment preset steps and a pipette preset route are stored in the storage unit, and the execution unit is used for controlling all mechanisms in the tester body to execute operation according to the experiment preset steps, the pipette preset route and menu options selected by a user and comprises a pipette head replacement unit and a pipette head replacement unit; the pipette head replacing device is used for replacing a new pipette head before the pipette sucks different types of liquid or after the pipette sucks and discharges liquid in a sample tube. By implementing the scheme, intelligent experiment operation is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of protein molecule experiments, and in particular to a control system and method based on a protein interaction tester. Background Art

[0002] Co-IP experiments, or co-immunoprecipitation experiments, are primarily used by researchers to study protein interactions and determine which proteins bind to target proteins to form complexes under physiological conditions within cells. The experimental process is relatively cumbersome, and the content of each experiment is different because humans have tens of thousands of proteins and a vast antibody library. Even for the same protein, different designs are required when studying its role in different pathways or diseases. Furthermore, each experiment requires a new control group (negative control, positive control) designed for the new target.

[0003] Due to the above reasons, namely, the different contents of each experiment and the different control groups of each experiment, the relevant parameters cannot be set uniformly. At the same time, since the experiment involves many variables and the operation steps are cumbersome, its R&D cost is high. Therefore, the experiment currently still relies on scientific researchers to carry out specific operations. The experiment is time-consuming, and one experiment requires scientific researchers to spend nearly 2 days, which is a great waste of scientific research human resources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the above technical problems and provides an intelligent control system based on a protein interaction tester and a method thereof.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a control system based on a protein interaction tester, comprising:

[0006] Tester body;

[0007] A user operation module is used to provide menu options through a user interface for users to select required parameters;

[0008] The feeding prompt module is used to compare the parameter value selected by the user with the actual detection value. If the actual detection value is less than the selected parameter value, a feeding prompt is given;

[0009] The control module includes a storage unit and an execution unit. The storage unit stores the preset experimental steps and the preset pipette route. The execution unit is used to control the various mechanisms in the test instrument body to perform operations according to the preset experimental steps, the preset pipette route and the menu options selected by the user, including a tip replacement unit, which is used to replace a new tip before the pipette absorbs different types of liquids or after the liquid in the sample tube is absorbed and discharged.

[0010] Preferably, as an improvement, the feeding prompt module includes:

[0011] The parameter value statistics unit is used to classify and calculate the parameters selected by the user and transmit the statistical results to the comparison unit;

[0012] The detection unit is used to convert the detection signals transmitted by each detection device into corresponding digital signals and classify them;

[0013] The comparison unit is used to receive the data from the parameter value statistics unit and the detection unit and perform classification comparison. If the data from the detection unit is less than the data from the parameter value statistics unit, a feeding prompt signal is issued.

[0014] Preferably, as an improvement, the tip replacement unit is used to receive the time value from the detection unit regarding the time from the pipette sucking in liquid to the liquid discharging. If the time value is less than a preset value, the tip replacement operation is performed; if the time value is greater than the preset value, when the pipette sucks in liquids of the same type, there is no need to replace the tip; when the pipette sucks in liquids of different types, the tip replacement operation is performed.

[0015] Preferably, as an improvement, the menu options include common options, which at least include the type of liquid required for each channel, the number of washes in each experimental stage, the rotation speed of the reaction table, and the size of the magnetic force.

[0016] Preferably, as an improvement, the menu options also include advanced options, which include whether to retain the intermediate liquid, whether to change the tube, and whether to directly dump the waste liquid.

[0017] Preferably, as an improvement, the detection device includes a meter and a camera. The meter is installed in each groove of the low-temperature liquid storage tank to measure the capacity or weight of the liquid in each groove, and the camera is used to respectively capture information of the remaining gun tips and sample tubes in the gun tip box and the sample tube box.

[0018] Preferably, as an improvement, the detection device also includes a displacement sensor and a timer. The displacement sensor is used to monitor the displacement state of the pipette control button, and the timer is used to count according to the displacement state changes monitored by the displacement sensor. When the control button moves downward, the timer starts counting until the control button moves downward again to complete the timing. This is the time from the pipette sucking in liquid to discharging liquid, and the time value is transmitted to the tip replacement unit.

[0019] A control method based on a protein interaction tester comprises the following steps:

[0020] The user selects the relevant parameters involved in the experiment through the menu options provided by the user interface;

[0021] The specific values are obtained by classification and calculation according to the parameters selected by the user, and compared with the actual detected values. If the actual detected value is less than the parameter value selected by the user, a refill prompt signal is issued;

[0022] After all kinds of materials for the experiment are ready, the various executing components in the experimental instrument perform the experimental operations according to the preset experimental steps and routes and the parameters selected by the user. Among them, the pipette tip is replaced before each aspirating different types of liquids or after aspirating and discharging the liquid in the sample tube.

[0023] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0024] By implementing this solution, the control system works in conjunction with the various mechanisms in the tester. Researchers only need to input or select relevant experimental parameters, and the equipment can intelligently complete the Co-IP experiment. After the experiment is completed, researchers can directly study and analyze the experimental results. This frees researchers from tedious experimental operations and allows them to have more time and energy to produce more valuable research results on innovative topics.

[0025] This solution also incorporates a reminder function. When researchers input relevant experimental parameters, the system automatically categorizes and compiles statistics based on the input parameters and compares the statistical data with the test data. If the test data is less than the input statistical data, it indicates that the material stored in the experimental instrument is insufficient, prompting the researcher to replenish the material. This prevents experimental failures due to material shortages during the experiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of Example 1 of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of Example 2.

[0028] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the protein reaction device.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the improved sample tube structure of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the reaction table.

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of middle A.

[0032] Figure 7 for Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the middle reaction station with the cover opened.

[0033] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of the pipetting control mechanism.

[0034] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following is further described in detail through specific implementation methods:

[0036] : The figure marks in the drawings of the specification include: experimental platform 1, protein reaction device 2, support frame 21, reaction table 22, accommodating hole 23, magnetic part 24, thermoelectric semiconductor cooling plate 25, flip cover plate 26, cover opening mechanism 27, connecting shaft 271, cover opening member 272, limit plate 28, weight reduction hole 29, pipetting device 3, fixing block 31, screw nut mechanism 32, range adjustment motor 33, control head 34, lower horizontal axis 35, pipette 36, control button 37, gun tip ejection button 38, connecting plate 39, control box 391, liquid storage device 4, groove 41, magnetic bead liquid processing tank 42, gun tip processing mechanism 5, waste channel 51, collection box 52, gun tip box 53, sample tube 6, tube cover plate 61, cover protrusion 62, cover opening hole 63, limit protrusion 64, positioning guide strip 65, waste liquid tank 7, robotic arm 8, marking instrument 9, sample tube box placement area 10.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] A control system based on a protein interaction tester, comprising:

[0039] Tester body;

[0040] The user operation module is used to provide menu options through the user interface for users to select the required parameters. The menu options include common options and advanced options. Common options include at least the type of liquid required for each channel, the amount of each liquid added, the number of washes in each experimental stage, the reaction table speed, and the magnetic force.

[0041] Among them, selecting the model of liquid required for each channel means that a channel in a protein interaction experiment requires at least five types of liquids, namely magnetic bead suspension A, wash buffer B, antibody diluent C, protein lysis buffer D, and protein loading buffer E. Since each channel is a control experiment, the models of antibody diluent C and protein lysis buffer D used in each channel are different. The other three liquids can be shared by all channels, or liquids of the same type but different models can be selected according to user needs.

[0042] Advanced options include whether to retain intermediate liquids (for example, after antigen-antibody binding in a precipitation reaction, the user can choose whether to retain the liquid after magnetic separation for subsequent analysis), whether the sample tube needs to be replaced during the experiment (for example, in the washing stage, after washing and resuspension multiple times, the user can choose whether to transfer the reaction liquid to a new sample tube to continue the experiment); whether the waste liquid should be dumped directly. This option will save more time and pipette tips. If the user chooses not to do this, the system will operate the default program, that is, the waste liquid in each channel (sample tube) will be sucked and discharged one by one through the pipette. The latter has higher experimental accuracy.

[0043] The refill prompt module is used to compare the parameter value selected by the user with the actual detection value. If the actual detection value is less than the selected parameter value, a refill prompt is issued. The refill prompt module includes:

[0044] The parameter value statistics unit is used to classify and calculate the parameters selected by the user, such as the amount of liquid required for each type of experiment, how many times the gun tip needs to be replaced (how many gun tips are used), etc., and transmit the statistical results to the comparison unit;

[0045] The detection unit includes a device for converting the detection signals transmitted by each detection device into corresponding digital signals and classifying them. The detection device includes a meter and a camera. The meter is installed in each groove of the low-temperature liquid storage tank and is used to measure the capacity or weight of the liquid in each groove. The camera is used to respectively capture information about the remaining tips and sample tubes in the tip box and the sample tube box. The detection device also includes a displacement sensor and a timer. According to the state of the pipette aspiration-discharge: when the control button moves downward to the first stop point, it is in the state of preparing for aspiration. The control button returns to the original state from the first stop point to complete aspiration. When the control button moves downward again to the second stop point, discharge is completed. The displacement state of the pipette control button is monitored by the displacement sensor. When the control button moves downward, the timer starts timing until the control button moves downward again to complete timing. This is the time from aspiration to discharge of the pipette, and the time value is transmitted to the tip replacement unit.

[0046] The comparison unit is used to receive the data from the parameter value statistics unit and the detection unit, perform classification comparison, and obtain the difference. If the data of the detection unit is less than the data of the parameter value statistics unit, a pop-up window with a feeding prompt and specific supplementary data will pop up.

[0047] Specifically: if four channels are used for the experiment, that is, four groups of control experiments, the user selects four control experiments and all share the same magnetic bead suspension A1, wash buffer B1, and protein loading buffer E1; the number of washes is 11, which includes 3 washes in the magnetic bead pretreatment stage, 3 washes after antibody binding, and 5 washes after antigen-antibody binding. Taking wash buffer B as an example, 1 ml of wash buffer B needs to be added for each wash, so one control experiment requires 11 ml, and the capacity required for four groups of control experiments is 11 ml*4=44 ml, and the data is transmitted to the comparison unit.

[0048] The meter used to detect the washing buffer solution B1 in the corresponding groove transmits the actual capacity value it detects to the comparison unit. The comparison unit compares the two sets of data. If the actual capacity value is 30ml, the system will pop up a prompt window "Insufficient stock of washing buffer solution B1, it is recommended to add at least 20ml" to prompt the user to replenish the relevant materials to avoid experimental failure due to lack of relevant materials during the experiment.

[0049] The control module includes a storage unit and an execution unit. The storage unit stores at least the experimental preset steps and the pipette preset route.

[0050] The execution unit, when all the materials required for the experiment are fully replenished, controls the various mechanisms in the test instrument body to perform operations according to the model of at least the experimental preset steps and the preset route of the pipette stored in the storage unit and in conjunction with the parameters selected by the user, including the tip replacement unit, which is used to replace a new tip before the pipette absorbs different types of liquids or after the liquid in the sample tube is absorbed and discharged.

[0051] The tip replacement unit is specifically used to receive the time value from the pipette aspiration to discharge transmitted by the detection unit. If the time value is less than the preset value, the tip replacement operation is performed. This setting is designed in combination with the structure of this experimental instrument: the waste liquid pool is located below the protein reaction device, and the low-temperature liquid storage tank is located farther away from the protein reaction device. Assuming the preset value is 2s, and the time for the pipette to aspirate and discharge is 1.5s, the discharge is faster, indicating that the current stage is the stage of removing the waste liquid in each sample tube. In order to avoid the liquid on the tip contaminating the reactant in the next sample tube, the tip needs to be replaced; if the time value is greater than the preset value, it means that new liquid is added to each sample tube at this stage. If according to the parameters selected by the user: when the pipette absorbs the same type of liquid, such as adding wash buffer B1 to all four channels (sample tubes), this operation will not cause contamination to the wash buffer B1 or the reactants in each channel, and there is no need to replace the tip operation. When the pipette is aspirating different types of liquids, such as adding wash buffer B1 to the first channel and wash buffer B2 to the second channel, etc., this operation will cause contamination to the wash buffers of each type, and the pipette tip needs to be replaced.

[0052] As attached Figure 1 As shown: A control method based on a protein interaction tester, comprising the following steps:

[0053] The user selects the relevant parameters involved in the experiment through the menu options provided by the user interface: the type of liquid required for each channel, the amount of each liquid to be added, the number of washes in each experimental stage, the speed of the reaction table, the magnetic force, and the type of pipette;

[0054] The specific values are obtained by classification and calculation according to the parameters selected by the user, and compared with the actual detected values. If the actual detected value is less than the parameter value selected by the user, a refill prompt signal is issued;

[0055] If the user selects four control experiments using the same magnetic bead suspension A1, wash buffer B1, and protein loading buffer E1, and the magnetic bead pretreatment phase includes three washes, three washes after antibody binding, and five washes after antigen-antibody binding, and using wash buffer B as an example, 1 ml of wash buffer B is added for each wash, then 44 ml of wash buffer B1 will be required for all four control groups. If the meter used to measure the volume of wash buffer B1 reports 30 ml, the system will prompt a pop-up window stating "Insufficient wash buffer B1, recommending at least 20 ml."

[0056] After the user fills in the required materials according to the prompts and confirms the start command, the various execution components in the experimental instrument will perform the experimental operations according to the preset experimental steps and routes and the parameters selected by the user. The pipette will replace the new pipette tip before each aspirating different types of liquids or after aspirating and discharging the liquid in the sample tube. The specific experimental preset steps and routes are:

[0057] First, the control module controls the vortex oscillator to start working to evenly disperse the magnetic beads in the magnetic bead suspension A, then drives the cover plate to flip and open the tube cover of the magnetic bead liquid tube, and then the system calls the pipette of appropriate range and controls it to move to the magnetic bead suspension A1. When the image taken by the camera shows that the pipette is stopped at the place where the magnetic bead suspension A1 is stored, the vertical displacement unit drives the pipette downward until the bottom of the pipette tip is below the liquid surface, and the pipetting control mechanism performs the liquid aspiration action, and then moves to the first sample tube from left to right to perform the liquid discharge action, and then repeats the liquid aspiration and liquid injection until the last sample tube is completed. Control the pipette to move to the top of the waste channel to remove the tip, and then control the pipette to move to the designated tip according to the position of the remaining tips in the tip box captured by the camera, insert it, and then move to the washing buffer B1 area, and draw the washing buffer B1 into the four sample tubes for washing. After washing is completed, control the electromagnet to magnetically separate the liquid in the sample tube, and suck away the separated liquid; then re-add the washing buffer B1 and repeat the above steps 3 times. Finally, inject 200ul of washing buffer B1 into each sample tube to resuspend and set aside to obtain liquid H.

[0058] The electromagnet is controlled to conduct magnetic separation of the liquid H in each sample tube. After discarding the liquid, the pipette is controlled to inject different types of antibody diluent C into each sample tube respectively. The thermoelectric semiconductor refrigeration chip in the reaction table is controlled to cool (about 4°C). Then, the speed-regulating motor is controlled to drive the sample tubes in the reaction table to flip overnight to complete the binding of the antibody and magnetic beads to obtain liquid I.

[0059] After magnetic separation of liquid I, discard the supernatant and control the pipette to inject wash buffer B1 into each sample tube. Repeat this step three times. Then, control the pipette to inject different types of protein lysis buffer D into each sample tube. Control the reaction table to flip. The user can select the flip reaction time according to the substance binding situation. It is usually incubated overnight at 4°C to obtain liquid J.

[0060] Magnetic separation of liquid J. Based on user selection, if the separated liquid needs to be retained for subsequent analysis, the pipette is controlled to absorb the liquids in the four sample tubes into the new sample tubes corresponding to the sample tube box placement area. After each new sample tube is completed, the robotic arm is controlled to label the corresponding channels of the new sample tube. For example, if the channels on the reaction table are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 from left to right, the liquids absorbed from the corresponding channels of the new sample tubes are labeled 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, and 4-1 respectively. This allows researchers to clearly distinguish the corresponding relationship between the new sample tubes and the original sample tubes.

[0061] Wash each sample tube with wash buffer B1 five times. The user can select whether to replace the sample tubes to continue the experiment. If not, the pipette controls the injection of protein loading buffer E1 into each sample tube to resuspend the sample, creating a suspension. The thermoelectric semiconductor cooling element in the reaction table is then heated to 95°C for 10 minutes. The supernatant is then magnetically separated and collected for subsequent analysis.

[0062] If the sample tube needs to be replaced, add washing buffer B1 again after washing 5 times, control the electromagnetic rod in the connecting shaft to magnetize to attract the cover and retract it, and flip the cover upward to separate the cover mechanism from the tube cover of the sample tube. At this time, the sample tube is in a free state, and the robotic arm removes the sample tube from the reaction table and transfers the liquid in the tube to a new sample tube. The robotic arm then sends the new sample tube to the marking instrument and marks it with the corresponding channel number, which are 1-2, 2-2, 3-2, and 4-2 respectively. The marked new sample tube is then placed on the reaction table and the experiment continues.

[0063] Among them, during the experiment, before the pipette absorbs different types of liquids, or after absorbing and discharging the liquid in the sample tube, it needs to be moved to the waste channel to remove the tip, and then moved to the tip box placement area to insert a new tip. The specific control method is: the displacement state of the pipette control button is monitored by a displacement sensor. When the control button moves downward, the timer starts timing until the control button moves downward again. This is the time from the pipette absorbing liquid to discharging liquid. The time value is transmitted to the tip replacement unit and compared with the preset value. If the time value is less than the preset value, the tip replacement operation is executed; if the time value is greater than the preset value, when the pipette absorbs the same type of liquid, there is no need to replace the tip operation. When the pipette absorbs different types of liquids, the tip replacement operation is executed.

[0064] Example 2

[0065] like Figure 2-Figure 9 As shown, the experimental instrument body includes a test platform and a cover body located on the test platform 1, and the control module and user interface of the control system can be located on the top or side of the cover body. A protein reaction device 2, a pipetting device 3, a liquid storage device 4, a gun head processing mechanism 5 and a waste liquid pool 7 are provided on the test platform, and the waste liquid pool 7 is located below the protein reaction device 2. The protein reaction device 2 includes a support frame 21 located on the test platform 1, and a reaction table 22 is rotatably provided on the support frame 21. The reaction table 22 is driven by a speed regulating motor, which is convenient for the experimenter to adjust the speed of the reaction table 22 according to different needs to achieve the ideal experimental effect. A plurality of accommodating holes 23 for accommodating sample tubes 6 are provided on the reaction table 22, and each sample tube 6 is used to do different control group experiments. An electromagnet is installed corresponding to each accommodating hole 23 in the reaction table 22 for magnetically separating the magnetic beads in the sample tube 6.

[0066] Since, in the antibody binding step of the experiment, the liquid in the sample tube 6 needs to be turned over overnight with the reaction table 22 under low temperature conditions (usually at 4°C), it needs to be refrigerated. At the beginning of the design, it was considered to perform constant temperature refrigeration in the experimental chamber, so that various reaction liquids in the experimental instrument can be treated at low temperatures at the same time, but it was later discovered that this method will cause water mist and even condensed water droplets to form inside the equipment, especially on the pipette gun 36, and there is a high possibility of contamination risk during the pipetting process. Therefore, a refrigeration module was finally installed at the position corresponding to the receiving hole 23 in the reaction table 22. At the same time, a heating module is also provided on the reaction table 22, which is used to heat the suspension at high temperature (usually at 95°C) in the washing step in the final stage of the experiment, avoiding the traditional cumbersome process: the sample tube 6 needs to be removed from the reaction table 22 and placed in boiling water for heating, and then placed back on the reaction table 22 after heating to continue the experiment. The heating module and the cooling module can be respectively provided with a heating layer and a cooling layer. However, considering that the space of the reaction table 22 is limited and it needs to be in a flipped state for a long time, the reaction table 22 as a whole needs to be light and compact. After comprehensive consideration, a thermoelectric semiconductor cooling plate 25 with both cooling and heating functions is adopted. It can switch between cooling and heating functions and adjust the temperature by simply changing the direction and amount of the current. At the same time, the thermoelectric semiconductor cooling plate 25 has a small structure and can meet the installation space corresponding to a single sample tube 6. The installation position of the thermoelectric semiconductor cooling plate 25 is offset from the position of the magnetic member 24. At the same time, a weight-reducing hole is provided on the reaction table. On the one hand, it has a weight-reducing effect on the device, and on the other hand, it is conducive to the heat dissipation of the thermoelectric semiconductor cooling plate in the heating mode.

[0067] Since in the entire magnetic bead protein interaction experiment, it is necessary to continuously open the cover of the sample tube 6 for aspiration and addition of liquid, and then close the cover of the sample tube 6 in time for magnetic separation or flipping and mixing. At the same time, since in the experiments of the same batch, each sample tube 6 is a control experiment, the sample tubes 6 cannot be cross-flowed, that is, each sample tube 6 must ensure good airtightness, and at the same time, the completion of the current batch of experiments cannot affect the next experiment. Therefore, how to design a sample tube 6 cover that can effectively avoid the risk of mutual contamination and can automatically and uniformly open and close the cover of each sample tube 6 is a very important and critical link.

[0068] Therefore, after continuous analysis and optimization of the structure, the following structure is finally designed:

[0069] First, if Figure 3As shown, the sample tube 6 has been improved: a tube cover 61 is rotatably connected to the tube mouth of the sample tube 6. The tube cover 61 is provided with a cover protrusion 62 for sealing the tube mouth. The tube cover 61 is also provided with a cover opening 63. When the tube cover 61 is sealed, the cover opening 63 is offset from the end face of the tube mouth of the sample tube 6. At least one positioning guide strip 65 is integrally formed on the outer wall of the sample tube 6. This positioning guide strip 65 is arranged along the axial direction of the sample tube 6, and a positioning guide groove for the positioning guide strip 65 is vertically provided within the receiving hole 23. This allows the experimenter to insert the positioning guide strip 65 into the corresponding positioning guide groove when placing the sample tube 6, thereby ensuring a one-to-one correspondence between the cover opening 63 and the opening mechanism 27. At the same time, in order to prevent the cover opening mechanism 27 from pulling out the sample tube 6 during the cover opening process, a limiting protrusion 64 is horizontally provided on the outer wall of the sample tube 6, and a limiting ring groove for engaging the limiting protrusion 64 is provided in the accommodating hole 23, so that the two are in a clamped state.

[0070] Secondly: Figure 3 、 Figure 5-Figure 7 As shown, a flap plate 26 is rotatably connected to the top surface of the reaction table 22 via a bearing. This flap plate 26 is used to simultaneously open and close the nozzles of each sample tube 6. In this embodiment, the flap plate 26 is driven by a servo motor fixed to the reaction table 22, with its output shaft connected to the flap plate 26. A lid opening mechanism 27 is vertically mounted on the left end of the flap plate 26, corresponding to the position of the lid opening hole 63. The lid opening mechanism 27 comprises a connecting shaft 271 and two lid opening members 272. The connecting shaft 271 is vertically mounted on the bottom surface of the flap plate 26. The lower ends of the lid opening members 272 are hinged to the lower end of the connecting shaft 271 via a pin. In this embodiment, the lower ends of the lid opening members 272 are U-shaped and rotatably connected to the connecting shaft 271 via a pin. The gravity of the lid-opening member 272 is greater than the rotational friction between the lid-opening member 272 and the connecting shaft 271. This causes the upper end of the lid-opening member 272 to automatically expand outward under its own weight, without the action of any external force. When the two lid-opening members 272 are retracted, the maximum lateral width of the lid-opening mechanism 27 is smaller than the diameter of the lid-opening hole 63, allowing the lid-opening mechanism 27 to be smoothly inserted into the lid-opening hole 63 of the sample tube 6. When the lid-opening members 272 are extended, the maximum lateral width of the lid-opening mechanism 27 is greater than the diameter of the lid-opening hole 63, allowing the lid-opening member 272 to contact the bottom surface of the flip cover 26 during the opening process, directly driving the flip cover 26 to rotate upward until the lid is opened.

[0071] The lower end of the connecting shaft 271 is integrally formed with a limit plate 28. A limit groove 41 is defined in the center of the limit plate 28. The connection between the cover opening member 272 and the rotating shaft is located within this limit groove 41. The contact surface between the limit groove 41 and the cover opening member 272 is an inclined surface. This design not only limits the expansion stroke of the cover opening member 272, but also effectively supports the cover opening member 272 during the opening process, thereby extending the service life of the cover opening mechanism 27.

[0072] Considering that after the sample tubes 6 undergo the inversion and mixing steps, residual liquid may remain on the cover protrusion 62. This is especially true during the washing step, when the suspension needs to be heated to a high temperature. This can lead to a large amount of liquid condensing on the cover protrusion 62. During the opening process, this liquid on the cover protrusion 62 is likely to splash into adjacent sample tubes 6, thus causing inaccurate experimental results. Therefore, this solution incorporates a heating module within the flip cover plate 26, which can utilize an electric heating wire. After the sample tubes 6 are inverted and mixed, the cover protrusion 62 is heated to evaporate any condensed water vapor or small water droplets, ensuring a dry surface on the cover protrusion 62 and preventing liquid splashing when the cover is opened.

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid storage device 4 is used to store various experimental liquids at low temperatures, including a low-temperature liquid storage tank and a cover provided on the low-temperature liquid storage tank. A plurality of independent grooves 41 are provided in the low-temperature liquid storage tank for independently placing liquid boxes of different types of liquids. Each groove 41 is equipped with a meter for the amount of liquid in the liquid box, such as a weighing element or a liquid level element. The grooves 41 are divided into four groups of groove groups, one row as a group, and the number of groove groups corresponds to the number of equipment channels. Among them, each groove 41 in at least one group corresponds to the placement of various liquid boxes used in protein interaction experiments. In the remaining three groups, in addition to correspondingly placing different types of antibody diluents C and protein lysates D, the other grooves 41 can selectively correspond to the placement of liquids of the same type but different types.

[0074] Wherein, the groove 41 for placing magnetic bead suspension A in the groove group is interconnected to form a magnetic bead liquid treatment tank 42, and vortex oscillator is provided in the magnetic bead liquid treatment tank 42. The vibration frame of vortex oscillator is provided with a plurality of placement holes for placing magnetic bead liquid pipes in parallel, and each placement hole bottom is equipped with a meter. The placement hole quantity is identical with groove 41 group quantities, is four, for placing different types of magnetic bead suspensions. The vibration frame is rotated and connected with an open cover plate, and the open cover plate is used for opening and closing the mouth of pipe of each magnetic bead liquid pipe simultaneously, and the structure and connection mode of the open cover plate are identical with flip cover plate 26, and the magnetic bead liquid pipe structure is identical with sample tube 6, does not repeat them here. Like this, when the experiment starts, first vortex oscillator vibrates magnetic bead suspension A, to evenly disperse magnetic beads.

[0075] like Figure 2As shown, the pipetting device 3 is used to add liquid to and absorb liquid from the sample tube 6, including a pipette gun 36 and a displacement mechanism and a pipetting control mechanism that drives the pipette gun 36 to move horizontally and vertically. The displacement mechanism includes a horizontal displacement unit and a vertical displacement unit. The horizontal displacement unit includes two parallel first slide rails. The first slide rails are fixed above the experimental platform 1. A second slide rail is slidably connected to the two first slide rails. A fixed block 31 is horizontally slidably connected to the second slide rail. The vertical displacement unit is connected to the fixed block 31. The vertical displacement unit is a screw nut mechanism 32. At least two different types of pipette guns are installed on the fixed block for calling pipette guns of different ranges according to different pipetting requirements. The displacement mechanism can adopt an electric control slide rail, and the movement route of the pipette gun can be controlled by the control system of the electric control slide rail.

[0076] like Figure 8 、 Figure 9 As shown, the pipetting control mechanism is used to control the pipette gun 36 to aspirate, discharge, withdraw the gun head, and adjust the aspiration range. The pipetting control mechanism includes a control box 391, the two sides of which are respectively threadedly connected to the nut seat of the screw nut mechanism and the pipette gun 36. A control unit is vertically slidably connected to the control box 391, and the control unit can swing left and right. The end point of the left swing is directly above the gun head withdrawal button 38 of the pipette gun 36, and the end point of the right swing is directly above the control button 37 of the pipette gun 36. The control unit includes a range adjustment motor 33 and two control heads 34 (hereinafter referred to as the upper control head 34 and the lower control head 34) coaxially mounted at the output end of the range adjustment motor 33. A gap is left between the two control heads 34. The control heads 34 and the control buttons 37 are both gear structures, and the two can mesh with each other. An L-shaped control frame is fixedly connected to the range adjustment motor 33, and the lower horizontal axis 35 of the control frame passes horizontally through the gap space and protrudes from the right side. As a further improvement, a rotary drum is rotatably sleeved on the lower horizontal shaft 35 of the control frame, so as to reduce the wear of the lower horizontal shaft 35 and the control button 37 during the range adjustment process.

[0077] The control unit is driven by a driving mechanism, which is installed in a control box 391 and includes a servo motor and a control cylinder. The control cylinder is fixedly connected to the output end of the servo motor. A connecting plate 39 is laterally provided at the output end of the control cylinder, and the range adjustment motor 33 is fixed to the bottom of the connecting plate 39.

[0078] The displacement sensor for detecting the displacement state of the control button is installed on the pipette.

[0079] The pipetting control process is as follows:

[0080] 1. Adjusting the range of the pipette 36: To increase the pipetting volume, the drive mechanism moves the control head 34 to the right until the upper control head 34 engages with the control button 37 and the lower horizontal shaft 35 contacts the bottom of the control button 37. At this point, the range adjustment motor 33 rotates the control button 37, and the control cylinder cooperates to drive the control button 37 upward until the target range is reached. Conversely, to decrease the pipetting volume, the lower control head 34 engages with the control button 37 and the lower horizontal shaft 35 contacts the top surface of the control button 37.

[0081] 2. Liquid aspiration and liquid discharge: move the control head 34 to the top of the control button 37 and push the control button 37 downward to the first stop point. Release the control button 37 to reset it, completing the liquid aspiration. Push the control button 37 downward again to the second stop point, completing the liquid discharge, and release the control head 34.

[0082] 3. To unload the gun head, the servo motor drives the control head 34 to rotate above the gun head unloading button 38. The control cylinder then drives the control head 34 to push the gun head unloading button 38 downward until the gun head is unloaded and the control head 34 is reset upward.

[0083] Furthermore, a camera is installed at the bottom of the fixed block, which uses images to identify the specific position of the pipette. The control module then controls the pipette control mechanism to perform the corresponding action. If the image shows that the pipette is stopped at the waste channel, the pipette control mechanism performs the aforementioned tip removal action. If the image shows that the pipette is stopped at the groove for storing wash buffer B1, the vertical displacement unit drives the pipette downward until the bottom of the tip is below the liquid surface, and the pipette control mechanism performs the aforementioned liquid aspiration action.

[0084] The tip processing mechanism 5 includes a tip replacement unit and a tip recovery unit. The tip recovery unit is used to collect discarded tips replaced by the pipette 36, and includes a waste channel 51 and a collection box 52. The collection box 52 is slidably connected to the side wall of the experimental platform. A handle is provided on the right side wall of the collection box 52, which is convenient for researchers to pull out the collection box 52 and pour out the discarded tips. The waste channel 51 is tilted and arranged in the experimental platform 1 and is connected to the collection box 52. The tip replacement unit includes a tip box 53 placement area and a camera. The tip placement area includes at least two for placing tips of different sizes. The camera is used to capture the position of the tips in the tip box 53. The pipette 36 moves to the designated position according to the tip position information and inserts the corresponding tip, thereby completing the replacement of the tip of the pipette 36.

[0085] A robotic arm 8, a marker 9, and a sample tube box placement area 10 are installed on the experimental platform 1. The robotic arm 8 has six degrees of freedom and is used to clamp the sample tube 6 to a specified position. The marker 9 is used to mark the sample tube 6. The robotic arm 8 and the marker 9 are fixedly installed between the sample tube box placement area 10 and the protein reaction device 2 to shorten the movement route and time of the robotic arm 8.

[0086] An electromagnet rod is installed in the connecting shaft 271 , and the cover opening member 272 is made of iron material or an iron sheet is provided on the cover opening member 272 .

[0087] The above is only an embodiment of the present invention, and the common knowledge such as the specific technical solutions and / or characteristics in the solution are not described in detail here. It should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, without departing from the technical solution of the present invention, several variations and improvements can be made, which should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention, and these will not affect the effect of the implementation of the present invention and the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection required by this application shall be based on the content of its claims, and the specific implementation methods and other records in the description can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A control system based on a protein interaction tester, characterized in that: include: Tester body; A user operation module is used to provide menu options through a user interface for users to select required parameters; The feeding prompt module is used to compare the parameter value selected by the user with the actual detection value. If the actual detection value is less than the selected parameter value, a feeding prompt is given; The control module includes a storage unit and an execution unit. The storage unit stores the preset experimental steps and the preset pipette route. The execution unit is used to control the various mechanisms in the test instrument body to perform operations according to the preset experimental steps, the preset pipette route and the menu options selected by the user, including a tip replacement unit, which is used to replace a new tip before the pipette absorbs different types of liquids or after the liquid in the sample tube is absorbed and discharged.

2. A control system based on a protein interaction tester according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding reminder module includes: The parameter value statistics unit is used to classify and calculate the parameters selected by the user and transmit the statistical results to the comparison unit; The detection unit is used to convert the detection signals transmitted by each detection device into corresponding digital signals and classify them; The comparison unit is used to receive the data from the parameter value statistics unit and the detection unit and perform classification comparison. If the data from the detection unit is less than the data from the parameter value statistics unit, a feeding prompt signal is issued.

3. A control system based on a protein interaction tester according to claim 2, characterized in that: The tip replacement unit is used to receive the time value from the detection unit about the time from the pipette sucking in liquid to the discharge of liquid. If the time value is less than the preset value, the tip replacement operation is performed; if the time value is greater than the preset value, when the pipette sucks the same type of liquid, there is no need to replace the tip operation. When the pipette sucks the liquid of a different type, the tip replacement operation is performed.

4. A control system based on a protein interaction tester according to claim 3, characterized in that: The menu options include common options, which at least include the type of liquid required for each channel, the number of washes in each experimental stage, the rotation speed of the reaction table, and the size of the magnetic force.

5. A control system based on a protein interaction tester according to claim 4, characterized in that: The menu options also include advanced options, including whether to retain the intermediate liquid, whether to change the tube, and whether to directly dump the waste liquid.

6. A control system based on a protein interaction tester according to claim 5, characterized in that: The detection device includes a meter and a camera. The meter is installed in each groove of the low-temperature liquid storage tank and is used to measure the capacity or weight of the liquid in each groove. The camera is used to respectively capture information about the remaining gun tips and sample tubes in the gun tip box and the sample tube box.

7. A control system based on a protein interaction tester according to claim 6, characterized in that: The detection device also includes a displacement sensor and a timer. The displacement sensor is used to monitor the displacement state of the pipette control button, and the timer is used to count according to the displacement state changes monitored by the displacement sensor. When the control button moves downward, the timer starts counting until the control button moves downward again. This is the time from the pipette sucking in liquid to discharging liquid, and the time value is transmitted to the tip replacement unit.

8. A control method based on a protein interaction tester, characterized in that: The steps include: The user selects the relevant parameters involved in the experiment through the menu options provided by the user interface; The specific values are obtained by classification and calculation according to the parameters selected by the user, and compared with the actual detected values. If the actual detected value is less than the parameter value selected by the user, a refill prompt signal is issued; After all kinds of materials for the experiment are ready, the various executing components in the experimental instrument perform the experimental operations according to the preset experimental steps and routes and the parameters selected by the user. Among them, the pipette tip is replaced before each aspirating different types of liquids or after aspirating and discharging the liquid in the sample tube.

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