Electrophoretic gel preparation device

Abstract

This utility model discloses an electrophoretic gel preparation device, including a casting plate and a gradient adjustment component. The casting plate is an upward-facing C-shaped structure with openings at the top and both ends. Extension plates are provided at both ends of the casting plate, and through slots are formed on each extension plate. The gradient adjustment component includes a base, fixed walls, and a cover plate. Two fixed walls are fixedly mounted on the base and slidably inserted into the through slots of the two extension plates. The cover plate is detachably connected to one of the fixed walls and can rotate relative to the fixed wall. A casting hole is formed on the cover plate. Using the above-described electrophoretic gel preparation device, trapezoidal gels can be prepared. During electrotransfer, the solid phase membrane is adhered to the inclined surface of the gel. Since macromolecules are located at the thinner end of the gel and small molecules are located at the thicker end, although macromolecules migrate slower than small molecules, their travel distance is shorter, thus achieving simultaneous transfer of large and small molecules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrophoresis technology, specifically to an electrophoresis gel preparation device. Background Technology

[0002] Gel electrophoresis is a technique for separating biomolecules (such as DNA, RNA, or proteins) based on differences in molecular size and charge. Its core principle is that, under the influence of an electric field, charged molecules migrate within the gel matrix; smaller molecules migrate faster, while larger molecules lag behind, thus achieving separation. Electroporation is the process of transferring the separated molecules from the gel onto a solid membrane (such as a nitrocellulose membrane or PVDF membrane) for further detection.

[0003] In existing technologies, during imprint transfer, molecules need to migrate from the gel to the solid film, resulting in a phenomenon where small molecules migrate quickly while large molecules migrate more slowly. This asynchronous transfer of large and small molecules means that excessively rapid migration of small molecules may lead to over-penetration of the solid film and signal loss, while excessively slow migration of large molecules makes it difficult for them to completely detach from the gel, resulting not only in low transfer efficiency but also in the possibility of some molecules remaining in the gel, leading to signal attenuation. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes an electrophoretic gel preparation device capable of preparing gels suitable for various sizes.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution: an electrophoretic gel preparation device, comprising a pouring plate and a gradient adjustment component; The casting plate is an upward-facing C-shaped structure with openings at the top and both ends. Both ends of the casting plate are provided with extension plates, and each extension plate is provided with a through groove. The gradient adjustment assembly includes a base, fixed walls, and a cover plate. The two fixed walls are fixedly mounted on the base and are slidably inserted into the through slots of the two extension plates respectively. The cover plate is detachably connected to one of the fixed walls and can rotate relative to the fixed wall. The cover plate has a pouring hole.

[0006] Insert the extension plates at both ends of the casting plate into the fixed wall, so that the casting plate is placed on the base. Then install the cover plate on the fixed wall and rotate it relative to the fixed wall so that the cover plate, fixed wall and casting plate surround a trapezoidal space. Pour the prepared glue into the internal space through the casting hole on the cover plate. After cooling, a trapezoidal gel is obtained.

[0007] The beneficial effects of the aforementioned electrophoretic gel preparation apparatus are: it can prepare trapezoidal gels, with the gel slant facing upwards during electrophoresis and the thinner end placed near the negative electrode, allowing for normal migration and separation of large and small molecules. During electrotransfer, the solid-phase membrane is attached to the slant of the gel. Since large molecules are located at the thinner end of the gel and small molecules at the thicker end, although large molecules migrate more slowly than small molecules, their migration path is shorter, thus achieving simultaneous transfer of large and small molecules.

[0008] Furthermore, the cover plate is rotatably connected to the fixed wall via a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft being rotatably embedded in the fixed wall, and the cover plate being inserted into and passing through the rotating shaft.

[0009] After the casting tray is placed on the base, the cover plate can be installed. Pass the cover plate through the pivot and insert it between the inner walls on both sides of the casting tray. Then rotate the cover plate to form a trapezoidal space.

[0010] Furthermore, one end of the rotating shaft is located on the outer wall of the fixed wall and is connected to a gear. The outer wall of the fixed wall is provided with a rotatable fixed cover. The inner side of the fixed cover is provided with a tooth groove. The fixed cover can cover the gear and mesh with the gear through the tooth groove.

[0011] Rotating the cover plate allows adjustment of the slope of the gel slope. Then, the fixing cover is rotated and placed on the gear. Through the meshing of the tooth groove and the gear, the rotating shaft cannot be rotated, thereby fixing the current angle of the cover plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the width of the fixed wall is greater than the inner width of the casting plate, and the through groove is adapted to the shape and size of the fixed wall.

[0013] The width of the fixed wall is greater than that of the casting plate to ensure that the enclosed space has good sealing performance. The through groove and the fixed wall are compatible, which can also improve the sealing effect.

[0014] Furthermore, the fixed wall is fitted to the end of the casting pan, and the cover plate is fitted to the inner wall of the casting pan.

[0015] The fit between the fixed wall and the end of the pouring pan ensures a sealed internal space to prevent leakage of the poured adhesive. Similarly, the fit between the cover plate and the inner wall of the pouring pan also enhances the seal, ensuring the formation of a trapezoidal internal space. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the specific embodiments will be briefly described below. In all the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electrophoretic gel preparation apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the electrophoretic gel preparation apparatus shown; Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a front sectional view of the electrophoresis gel preparation apparatus. Figure label: 10-Pouring plate, 11-Extension plate; 21-Base, 22-Fixed wall, 221-Fixed cover, 23-Cover plate, 231-Pouring hole, 232-Shaft, 233-Gear, 234-Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Please see Figures 1 to 3 This invention provides an electrophoretic gel preparation device, including a pouring plate and a gradient adjustment component. By cooperating with the pouring plate and the gradient adjustment component, a trapezoidal gel can be poured.

[0020] Specifically, the casting plate 10 has an upward-facing C-shaped structure with openings at the top and both ends. This structure allows the casting plate 10 to be placed directly inside the electrophoresis apparatus, with both ends in contact with the positive and negative electrodes. Extension plates 11 are provided at both ends of the casting plate 10, and through slots are formed on the extension plates 11. The gradient adjustment assembly includes a base 21, fixed walls 22, and a cover plate 23. The two fixed walls 22 are respectively fixedly mounted on both ends of the base 21 and slidably inserted into the through slots of the two extension plates 11. The cover plate 23 is detachably connected to one of the fixed walls 22 and can rotate relative to the fixed wall 22. A casting hole 231 is formed on the cover plate 23.

[0021] The extension plates 11 at both ends of the casting tray 10 are passed through the two fixed walls 22, so that the casting tray 10 is placed on the base 21. Then, the cover plate 23 is installed on the fixed walls 22 and rotated relative to the fixed walls 22, so that the cover plate 23, the fixed walls 22 and the casting tray 10 form a trapezoidal space. The prepared gel solution is poured into the internal space through the casting hole 231 on the cover plate 23. After cooling, a trapezoidal gel is obtained, with vertical surfaces on all sides and a sloping surface on the top. Then, the cover plate 23 is removed, and the casting tray is taken out and placed in the electrophoresis apparatus for use.

[0022] A trapezoidal gel was prepared, with the slant of the gel facing upwards during electrophoresis. The thinner end was placed closer to the negative electrode, and the sample loading chamber was also located near the negative electrode. After electrophoresis began, molecules of different sizes migrated and separated towards the positive electrode. During electrotransfer, the solid-phase membrane was attached to the slant of the gel. Because large molecules migrate more slowly during electrophoresis and remain at the thinner end of the gel, while small molecules migrate more quickly and are located at the thicker end, the electrotransfer process, although slower than that of small molecules, resulted in a shorter migration path for large molecules, thus achieving simultaneous transfer of large and small molecules.

[0023] Specifically, the cover plate 23 is rotatably connected to the fixed wall 22 via a pivot 232. The pivot 232 is rotatably embedded in the fixed wall 22, and the cover plate 23 is inserted through the pivot 232. After the casting tray 10 is placed on the base 21, the cover plate 23 can be installed. The cover plate 23 is passed through the pivot 232 and inserted between the inner walls on both sides of the casting tray 10. By rotating the cover plate 23, a trapezoidal space can be formed.

[0024] In this embodiment, one end of the rotating shaft 232 is located on the outer wall of the fixed wall 22 and is connected to a gear 233. A rotatable fixed cover 221 is provided on the outer wall of the fixed wall 22. The inner side of the fixed cover 221 is provided with a toothed groove. The fixed cover 221 can cover the gear 233 and mesh with the gear 233 through the toothed groove. Rotating the cover plate 23 can adjust the slope of the gel slope. Then, the fixed cover 221 is rotated and covered with the gear 233. Through the meshing of the toothed groove with the gear 233, the rotating shaft 232 cannot rotate, thereby fixing the current angle of the cover plate 23. In addition, in order to avoid interference when the fixed wall 22 and the extension plate 11 are inserted, the diameter of the section where the rotating shaft 232 and the cover plate 23 are inserted is smaller than the width of the fixed wall 22, and the inner wall of the fixed wall 22 at this point is also recessed inward to cooperate with the rotating shaft 232.

[0025] Specifically, the width of the fixed wall 22 is greater than the inner width of the pouring pan 10, and it fits snugly against the end of the pouring pan. The through groove is adapted to the shape and size of the fixed wall, and the cover plate 23 fits snugly against the inner wall of the pouring pan 10. The width of the fixed wall 22 is greater than that of the pouring pan 10 and they fit snugly to ensure good sealing of the enclosed space and prevent glue leakage during pouring. Similarly, the fit of the cover plate 23 to the inner wall of the pouring pan 10 also helps to improve sealing and ensure that the trapezoidal gel can be stably formed.

[0026] In addition, the end surface of the cover plate 23 has multiple through holes arranged in a straight line, and each through hole has a protrusion 234. The friction between the through holes and the protrusions 234 is relatively large. When preparing the gel, the protrusions 234 are pressed down to form multiple sample loading grooves on the gel surface, which facilitates sample loading during subsequent electrophoresis.

[0027] The working principle of the above-mentioned electrophoretic gel preparation device is as follows: The extension plates 11 at both ends of the casting plate 10 are passed through the two fixed walls 22, so that the casting plate 10 is placed on the base 21. Then, the cover plate 23 is passed through the rotating shaft 232 on the fixed wall 22 and rotated to adjust the angle. Then, the angle is fixed by the fixing cover 221, so that the cover plate 23, the fixed wall 22 and the casting plate 10 form a trapezoidal space. The prepared gel solution is poured into the internal space through the casting hole 231 on the cover plate 23. After cooling, a trapezoidal gel is obtained, and the casting plate can be directly removed and placed in the electrophoresis device for use.

[0028] Using the aforementioned electrophoretic gel preparation apparatus, a trapezoidal gel can be prepared. During electrophoresis, the slant of the gel faces upwards, with the thinner end placed closer to the negative electrode. The sample loading groove is also located near the negative electrode. After electrophoresis begins, molecules of different sizes migrate and separate towards the positive electrode. Because larger molecules migrate more slowly during electrophoresis, they remain at the thinner end of the gel, while smaller molecules migrate faster and are located at the thicker end. During electrotransfer, the solid-phase membrane is attached to the slant of the gel. Although larger molecules migrate more slowly than smaller molecules, their travel distance is shorter, thus achieving simultaneous transfer of molecules of different sizes.

[0029] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this utility model.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preparing electrophoretic gels, characterized in that: Includes the pouring plate and gradient adjustment components; The casting plate is an upward-facing C-shaped structure with openings at the top and both ends. Both ends of the casting plate are provided with extension plates, and each extension plate is provided with a through groove. The gradient adjustment assembly includes a base, fixed walls, and a cover plate. The two fixed walls are fixedly mounted on the base and are slidably inserted into the through slots of the two extension plates respectively. The cover plate is detachably connected to one of the fixed walls and can rotate relative to the fixed wall. The cover plate has a pouring hole.

2. The electrophoretic gel preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover plate is rotatably connected to the fixed wall via a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft being rotatably embedded in the fixed wall, and the cover plate being inserted into and passing through the rotating shaft.

3. The electrophoretic gel preparation apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the rotating shaft is located on the outer wall of the fixed wall and is connected to a gear. The outer wall of the fixed wall is provided with a rotatable fixed cover. The inner side of the fixed cover is provided with a tooth groove. The fixed cover can cover the gear and mesh with the gear through the tooth groove.

4. The electrophoretic gel preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the fixed wall is greater than the inner width of the casting plate, and the through groove is adapted to the shape and size of the fixed wall.

5. The electrophoresis gel preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by: The fixed wall is fitted to the end of the casting pan, and the cover plate is fitted to the inner wall of the casting pan.

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