Simple locator for locating yeast two-hybrid bacterial colony
By designing a high-pressure plastic ring and an elastic clamping assembly, the accuracy and standardization issues of colony positioning in yeast two-hybrid experiments are solved. This provides a simple, low-cost, and convenient locator suitable for various microbial experiments, improving the accuracy and comparability of experimental data.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-03
AI Technical Summary
In existing yeast two-hybrid experiments, traditional colony localization methods have low accuracy and are prone to errors, making it impossible to achieve standardized and digital recording. Furthermore, existing devices are complex in structure, costly, or have poor versatility.
It adopts a high-pressure plastic ring combined with an elastic clamping component, and has an internal slot for holding a marking card to achieve precise positioning and recording. It is compatible with different petri dish sizes and uses lightweight plastic material to ensure convenient operation and sterility.
It achieves precise colony location with an accuracy of ±0.5mm, improving the accuracy and comparability of experimental data, reducing costs, and enhancing the versatility and ease of operation of the device, making it suitable for various microbial experiments.
Smart Images

Figure CN224077343U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of molecular biology experimental equipment technology, specifically a simple locator for yeast two-hybrid colony localization. Background Technology
[0002] The yeast two-hybrid system, a classic method for studying protein-protein interactions, has been widely used in functional genomics research and drug target screening. During experiments, researchers need to locate, label, and subsequently analyze positive clones on culture plates containing a large number of yeast colonies. Traditional methods mainly rely on manual labeling, using markers to directly mark the bottom of the culture dish, or using external graph paper for control localization. These methods have significant drawbacks:
[0003] Manual labeling has low precision and is prone to human error, especially in high-throughput screening. When the colony density in the petri dish is high (usually exceeding 200 colonies / dish), accurately recording the location of a specific colony becomes extremely difficult. Marker pen marks are easily erased and cannot achieve standardized positioning, which is not conducive to the reproducibility of experimental data and the comparison of results between laboratories. External coordinate paper positioning method requires repeated movement of petri dishes for control observation, which is cumbersome and prone to introducing contamination. Existing technologies lack a unified positioning standard, making it difficult to compare experimental data from different batches. Traditional methods cannot achieve digital recording of colony locations, which is not conducive to establishing a standardized database.
[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, a small number of colony localization devices are currently available on the market, but most are complex in structure, expensive, or inconvenient to use. Some metal-based localizers are heavy, prone to corrosion, and unsuitable for aseptic operation; while some plastic localizers often lack flexibility and versatility, failing to adapt to different petri dish sizes and varying experimental requirements. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a yeast two-hybrid colony localization device that is simple in structure, low in cost, flexible in use, and can improve experimental accuracy. Utility Model Content
[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a simple locator for yeast two-hybrid colony positioning, which solves the problems in the prior art by setting a high-pressure plastic ring with a slot combined with an elastic clamping component.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0007] A simple locator for yeast two-hybrid colony localization includes a high-pressure plastic ring with a groove on the inner side and elastic clamping components on both sides of the high-pressure plastic ring.
[0008] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the elastic clamping assembly includes elastic plastic sheets fixedly disposed on both sides of the high-pressure plastic ring.
[0009] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a marking card is inserted into the slot of the high-pressure plastic ring.
[0010] This invention has the following advantages: Precise positioning function: By using the marking card (which may have a standard coordinate grid) set in the slot, the position of colonies in the petri dish can be precisely marked and recorded, with a positioning accuracy of ±0.5mm, which greatly improves the accuracy of experimental data.
[0011] Flexible adaptability: The design of the elastic clamping component allows the positioner to be adapted to standard petri dishes of different diameters (usually 90-150mm), making it highly versatile; at the same time, different sizes of label cards can be replaced to meet different experimental needs.
[0012] Ease of use: Made of lightweight high-pressure plastic material, the overall weight is less than 20g, and it can be operated with one hand; the elastic plastic sheet design makes the installation and disassembly process simple and quick, and the entire positioning process can be completed within 10 seconds; Aseptic protection: The all-plastic structure can withstand routine sterilization treatment (such as ultraviolet irradiation, alcohol wiping, etc.), avoiding the risk of contamination that may be caused by metal materials.
[0013] Cost-effectiveness: The structure is simple, the production process is mature, and the cost of a single unit can be controlled below 5 yuan, which is far lower than that of similar professional positioning equipment; Data standardization: The matching standard coordinate marking cards enable the data of different experimental personnel and different laboratories to be comparable, which is conducive to the establishment of a unified colony database.
[0014] Applicable to multiple scenarios: In addition to the yeast two-hybrid system, it can also be applied to colony localization in other microbial experiments such as bacterial clone screening and fungal single-spore isolation. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a simple locator for yeast two-hybrid colony localization.
[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a simple locator used for yeast two-hybrid colony localization.
[0017] In the diagram: 1. High-pressure plastic ring; 2. Elastic plastic sheet; 3. Card slot; 4. Marking card. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.
[0019] Example 1, please refer to Figures 1-2 A simple locator for yeast two-hybrid colony positioning includes a high-pressure plastic ring 1, a groove 3 on the inner side of the high-pressure plastic ring 1, and elastic clamping components on both sides of the high-pressure plastic ring 1.
[0020] The elastic clamping assembly includes elastic plastic sheets 2 fixedly disposed on both sides of the high-pressure plastic ring 1; a marking card 4 is inserted into the slot 3 of the high-pressure plastic ring 1.
[0021] In the implementation of this utility model, the operator can insert the marker card 4 with the marked grid into the slot 3 of the high-pressure plastic ring 1, and then use the elastic plastic sheet 2 to clamp and fix the container for experimental analysis. In actual experimental analysis, the operator can replace the marker card 4 with different size and specification grids and place it in the slot 3. This method of use is more flexible and has a wider range of applications. At the same time, the use of plastic material is lighter and more convenient to use.
[0022] The actual use involves the following steps: Device preparation stage: Select a locator that matches the diameter of the petri dish, and insert the pre-printed coordinate grid (e.g., 5mm × 5mm squares) marking card 4 into the slot 3 inside the high-pressure plastic ring 1. The marking card 4 should be made of transparent or semi-transparent material to ensure it does not affect the observation of colony morphology.
[0023] Positioner installation: Gently press the elastic plastic sheets 2 on both sides with both hands to widen the opening of the positioner, and then place it over the outside of the culture dish. After releasing the elastic plastic sheets 2, rely on the elasticity of the material to firmly clamp the culture dish, ensuring that the positioner is concentrically fixed with the culture dish.
[0024] Colony localization recording: The precise location coordinates of the target colony can be directly read through the transparent 4-coordinate grid of the marker card (e.g., B-12 indicates the 12th row of column B). Researchers can record these coordinates or mark them directly on the card.
[0025] Data conversion application: The recorded coordinate data can be directly input into an electronic database or connected to automated bacteria picking equipment to achieve the transition from manual screening to semi-automated operation.
[0026] Multi-round screening support: For experiments requiring multiple rounds of screening, colonies at different screening stages can be distinguished by changing the label cards of different colors or styles, thus avoiding confusion.
[0027] Cleaning and maintenance: After use, it can be wiped with 75% alcohol for disinfection. The marking card 4 can be replaced or reused after cleaning, and maintenance is simple. This locator realizes the precise positioning needs in complex experiments through a simple mechanical structure. Its core innovation lies in standardizing and systematizing the traditional manual marking process, while maintaining the advantages of ease of operation and low cost.
[0028] All standard parts used in this invention can be purchased from the market, and irregularly shaped parts can be customized according to the description and drawings. The specific connection methods for each part all employ conventional methods such as bolts, rivets, and welding, which are mature technologies in the prior art. The machinery, parts, and equipment all use conventional models in the prior art, and the circuit connections also use conventional connection methods in the prior art, which will not be detailed here. Any content not described in detail in this specification belongs to the prior art known to those skilled in the art.
[0029] In the description of this utility model, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. "A plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0030] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0031] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0032] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.
[0033] The accompanying drawings of the embodiments disclosed in this utility model only involve the structures involved in the embodiments disclosed in this utility model. Other structures can refer to the general design. In the absence of conflict, the same embodiment and different embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.
[0034] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A simple locator for yeast two-hybrid colony localization comprising a high pressure plastic ring (1), characterized in that, The high-pressure plastic ring (1) is internally provided with a clamping groove (3), and both sides of the high-pressure plastic ring (1) are provided with elastic clamping assemblies; The elastic clamping assembly comprises elastic plastic sheets (2) fixedly arranged on both sides of the high-pressure plastic ring (1); The clamping groove (3) of the high-pressure plastic ring (1) is internally clamped with a mark card (4).