Gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus

Abstract

To provide a gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus that can efficiently and uniformly cool the transfer buffer. [Solution] In a gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus comprising an ice cooling tank body (1), a transfer tank body (2), and a transfer core unit (3), an ice block mounting plate (5) is provided inside the ice cooling tank body (1), and the transfer tank body (2) is placed on top of it. A small water pump (6) is provided on the side wall of the transfer tank body (2), and a meandering cooling water pipe (7) is laid at the bottom and connected to the small water pump (6) to form a circulating cooling water channel. Furthermore, the transfer core unit (3) is detachably engaged with an engagement groove (4) of the transfer tank body (2). This allows the transfer buffer to be cooled efficiently and uniformly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring proteins after gel electrophoresis to a membrane, and more particularly, to a gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus equipped with a cooling mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] Western blotting technology is a protein detection technology widely used in the field of molecular biology. Its main steps include gel electrophoresis, protein transfer, antibody incubation, and detection.

[0003] Among these, the protein transfer step is particularly important in the overall experimental process because it directly affects the accuracy of subsequent detection results.

[0004] Conventional protein transfer technologies are mainly classified into three types: wet type, semi-dry type, and dry type. Among these, wet type transfer is widely used in various experimental scenarios because of its excellent operation stability and wide application range. Its general operation method is to stack a sponge, filter paper, transfer membrane, polyacrylamide gel, filter paper, and sponge in this order into a transfer cassette to form a sandwich structure, and then mount the transfer cassette containing this sandwich structure on a support member having an electrode part, and further immerse the support member in a transfer buffer solution in a transfer tank body to operate the device, thereby performing protein transfer.

[0005] However, wet type transfer has technical problems related to heat dissipation. Since it is necessary to continuously pass an electric current during the transfer process, the temperature of the transfer buffer solution tends to rise due to long-term energization. In particular, when using a transfer buffer solution with a large amount of heat generation, exceeding a predetermined value of the temperature may not only cause deformation of the polyacrylamide gel but also lead to decomposition or denaturation of the target protein. As a result, it causes a decrease in protein transfer efficiency, blurring of bands, and a decrease in reproducibility, which has an adverse effect on the reliability of experimental results.

[0006] To address these heat dissipation challenges, conventional methods generally employ a design where the transfer tank is placed inside an ice-cooling tank to suppress overheating due to excessive current and ensure the safety and effectiveness of the transfer process. However, in this configuration, the resin tank wall of the transfer tank is interposed between the transfer buffer solution in the transfer tank and the ice water in the ice-cooling tank, resulting in low heat exchange efficiency. This makes it difficult to quickly release the heat generated in the transfer buffer solution, and thus insufficient heat dissipation is not achieved. Consequently, it is difficult to effectively suppress overheating during the transfer process. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus that can efficiently and uniformly cool the transfer buffer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, this invention provides a gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus comprising an ice-cooling tank body, a transfer tank body, and a transfer core unit. The transfer core unit includes a transfer cassette housing section and an electrode section.

[0009] The transfer tank body is a rectangular tank body with an open top, and vertical engagement grooves are symmetrically provided on its left and right inner walls, and the transfer core unit is inserted into and engaged with the engagement grooves. An ice block support plate is provided horizontally inside the ice cooling tank body, and the transfer tank body is placed on the ice block support plate. A small water pump is provided on the outer wall of the transfer tank body, and a meandering cooling water pipe is laid at the bottom of the transfer tank body, and the cooling water pipe communicates with the discharge port of the small water pump to form a circulating cooling water channel.

[0010] Furthermore, both ends of the cooling water pipe extend outward through the side wall of the transfer tank body, and a suction pipe is connected to the suction port of the small water pump. One end of the suction pipe, away from the small water pump, extends downward through the ice block mounting plate toward the bottom of the ice cooling tank body. The discharge port of the small water pump and one end of the cooling water pipe are connected via a first hose, and a second hose is connected to the other end of the cooling water pipe. One end of the second hose, away from the cooling water pipe, extends downward through the ice block mounting plate toward the bottom of the ice cooling tank body, thereby forming a circulation path for the ice water via the suction pipe, the small water pump, the cooling water pipe, and the second hose.

[0011] Furthermore, horizontal regulating ridges are fixed symmetrically to the inner wall of the ice cooling tank body, and the ice block mounting plate is detachably installed by being placed across the horizontal regulating ridges. The ice block mounting plate divides the internal space of the ice cooling tank body into two parts, upper and lower. The area below the ice block mounting plate is a chilled water chamber, and the area above the ice block mounting plate is an ice block chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, the transfer tank body is provided with two coolant storage chambers, each located on the front and rear sides of the transfer core unit. The coolant storage chambers are in communication with the internal space of the transfer tank body, and sealed coolants can be placed inside them.

[0013] Furthermore, a regulating plate is fixed below the engagement groove, and the bottom of the transfer core unit abuts against the top of the regulating plate, thereby positioning it horizontally and preventing oscillation during the transfer process. The cooling water pipe is laid between the regulating plate and the bottom wall of the transfer tank body.

[0014] Furthermore, the ice block mounting plate is provided with multiple through holes, the diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the water intake pipe and the second hose. Handles are fixed to both sides of the top of the ice block mounting plate. In addition, the cooling water pipe is arranged in a meandering manner at the bottom of the transfer tank body, and both the ice block mounting plate and the cooling water pipe are made of a thermally conductive material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to this invention, a complex cooling system can be constructed consisting of cooling by a circulating water channel, auxiliary cooling by a coolant, and contact cooling by an ice block support plate. This allows for efficient transfer of heat from the transfer buffer to the outside, suppressing temperature rise during the transfer process.

[0016] Furthermore, the serpentine arrangement of cooling water pipes allows for cooling over a wide area at the bottom of the transfer cell, and the cooling agent chambers located on both the front and rear sides of the transfer core unit allow for symmetrical cooling of the buffer solution. This suppresses localized temperature variations and enables more uniform cooling of the transfer buffer solution.

[0017] Furthermore, the transfer core unit can be easily attached and detached due to its insertion-type structure into the engagement groove, and the ice block mounting plate is detachable and equipped with a handle, allowing for easy replenishment of ice blocks, cleaning of the device, and maintenance.

[0018] Furthermore, by continuously replenishing the ice chamber with ice blocks, a continuous supply of cold water can be provided, making it easier to maintain a stable cooling state even during transfer experiments involving prolonged power supply. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the entire gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the connection structure between the transfer tank body and the transfer core unit according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the transfer tank body according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the ice cooling tank body according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the ice cooling tank body according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the ice cooling tank body according to the present invention with the ice block support plate removed. [Figure 7]It is a perspective view of the ice block placement plate according to the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Forms that can be appropriately changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0021] In addition, in this specification, terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" are used for convenience of explanation based on the positional relationship shown in the drawings, and the present invention is not limited to a specific direction or arrangement.

[0022] The gel electrophoresis transfer device according to the present invention includes an ice-cooling tank body 1, a transfer tank body 2, and a transfer core unit 3. The transfer tank body 2 is a rectangular tank body with an open upper part, and vertical engagement grooves 4 are symmetrically provided on the left and right inner walls thereof. The transfer core unit 3 is inserted into and engaged with the engagement groove 4.

[0023] The transfer core unit 3 is provided with a plurality of transfer cassette accommodation parts for arranging assembled transfer cassettes. An ice block placement plate 5 is horizontally provided in the ice-cooling tank body 1, and the transfer tank body 2 is placed on the ice block placement plate 5. A small water pump 6 is provided on the outer wall of the transfer tank body 2, and a cooling water pipe 7 arranged in a meandering shape is laid at the bottom of the transfer tank body 2. The cooling water pipe 7 communicates with the discharge port of the small water pump 6 to form a circulating cooling water path.

[0024] Both ends of the cooling water pipe 7 extend to the outside, passing through the side walls of the transfer tank body 2. A suction pipe 8 is connected to the suction port of the small water pump 6, and one end of the suction pipe 8, away from the small water pump 6, extends downward through the ice block mounting plate 5 towards the bottom of the ice cooling tank body 1. The discharge port of the small water pump 6 and one end of the cooling water pipe 7 are connected via a first hose 9, and the other end of the cooling water pipe 7 is connected to a second hose 10. One end of the second hose 10, away from the cooling water pipe 7, extends downward through the ice block mounting plate 5 towards the bottom of the ice cooling tank body 1. As a result, the chilled water in the ice cooling tank body 1 is configured to circulate through the suction pipe 8, the small water pump 6, the cooling water pipe 7, and the second hose 10.

[0025] Horizontal restricting ridges 11 are symmetrically fixed to the inner wall of the ice cooling tank body 1. The ice block mounting plate 5 is detachably installed by being placed across the horizontal restricting ridges 11. The ice block mounting plate 5 divides the internal space of the ice cooling tank body 1 into two parts, upper and lower. The lower part is the chilled water chamber 12, and the upper part is the ice block chamber 13. Ice blocks are contained in the ice block chamber 13, and chilled water for circulation is stored in the chilled water chamber 12.

[0026] Within the main body of the transfer tank 2, two symmetrically positioned coolant storage chambers 14 are provided. The two coolant storage chambers 14 are located on the front and rear sides of the transfer core unit 3, respectively, and communicate with the internal space of the main body of the transfer tank 2. Sealed coolants can be placed in the coolant storage chambers 14, and the transfer buffer in the main body of the transfer tank 2 can be cooled from a nearby position to improve the uniformity of cooling.

[0027] A regulating plate 15 is further fixed below the engagement groove 4. The bottom of the transfer core unit 3 is positioned horizontally by contacting the top of the regulating plate 15. This suppresses the oscillation of the transfer core unit 3 during the transfer process. The cooling water pipe 7 is laid between the regulating plate 15 and the bottom wall of the transfer tank body 2, allowing for efficient cooling of the transfer buffer solution in the transfer tank body 2 while avoiding interference with the transfer core unit 3.

[0028] The ice block support plate 5 is provided with multiple through holes 16. The diameter of the through holes 16 is larger than the outer diameter of the water intake pipe 8 and the second hose 10, allowing the cold water generated by the melting of the ice block in the ice block chamber 13 to flow smoothly into the cold water chamber 12, and also allowing the water intake pipe 8 and the second hose 10 to be easily inserted into the ice block support plate 5.

[0029] The ice block mounting plate 5 and the cooling water pipe 7 can both be made of a thermally conductive material, such as an aluminum alloy or stainless steel. This facilitates the transfer of cold from the ice block chamber 13 to the transfer tank body 2, assisting contact-type heat dissipation. Handles 17 are provided on both sides of the top of the ice block mounting plate 5, allowing the operator to easily remove the ice block mounting plate 5 from the ice cooling tank body 1.

[0030] Next, an example of how the device according to the present invention is used will be described. First, the ice block mounting plate 5 is placed on the horizontal regulating protrusion 11 of the ice cooling tank body 1 via the handle 17, and the suction pipe 8 and the second hose 10 are passed through the through hole 16 of the ice block mounting plate 5 and extended toward the cold water chamber 12. Next, a small water pump 6 is installed on the outer wall of the transfer tank body 2, and the suction pipe 8, the first hose 9, the cooling water pipe 7 and the second hose 10 are connected in order to form a circulation path.

[0031] Next, a sufficient amount of ice is placed in the ice block chamber 13, and an appropriate amount of water is added to the cold water chamber 12 so that the ends of the water intake pipe 8 and the second hose 10 are submerged in the cold water. Furthermore, coolants are placed in the two coolant storage chambers 14 of the transfer tank body 2.

[0032] In assembling the transfer structure, following the usual wet transfer procedure, a sponge, filter paper, transfer film, gel, filter paper, and sponge are sequentially layered to form a sandwich structure, which is then housed and held within the transfer cassette. Next, the transfer cassette is placed in the transfer cassette housing section of the transfer core unit 3, and the transfer core unit 3 is inserted vertically along the engagement groove 4 of the transfer tank body 2, with its bottom contacting the regulating plate 15.

[0033] Next, transfer buffer solution is injected into the transfer tank body 2 so that the transfer cassette is fully immersed in the transfer buffer solution. Then, the small water pump 6 is activated and cold water is circulated through the suction pipe 8, the small water pump 6, the cooling water pipe 7, and the second hose 10 to cool the transfer buffer solution.

[0034] Furthermore, the electrode section of the transfer core unit 3 is connected to the power supply, and the protein transfer process is started. During the transfer process, a continuous supply of cold air can be ensured by replenishing the ice block in the ice block chamber 13 in a timely manner according to the melting status of the ice block.

[0035] After the transfer is complete, the power is turned off, the transfer core unit 3 is pulled out of the engagement groove 4, and the transfer cassette is removed to perform subsequent experimental operations. Next, the transfer tank body 2 is removed from the ice block mounting plate 5, the internal transfer buffer is drained, and then the transfer tank body 2 and transfer core unit 3 are cleaned. Furthermore, the ice block mounting plate 5 can be removed via the handle 17, any remaining ice and water in the ice cooling tank body 1 can be removed, and the conduits can be organized and stored.

[0036] In this specification, terms such as "Part 1," "Part 2," etc., are used to distinguish each component from one another, and do not imply any difference in order or importance between them.

[0037] Furthermore, in this specification, terms such as "include" or "equip" mean non-exclusive inclusion and do not exclude other components that are ordinarily present in the device or configuration, in addition to the components explicitly described.

[0038] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such changes and modifications are all included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1. Ice Cooling Tank Body 2 Transfer tank body 3 Transfer core unit 4. Engagement groove 5. Ice block support plate 6. Small water pump 7 Cooling water pipe 8 Water suction pipe 9. Horse No. 1 10. Second hose 11 Horizontal control ridge 12 Cold water room 13 Ice Block Chamber 14 Cooling pack storage room 15 Restriction board 16 through hole 17 Handle

Claims

1. In a gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus comprising an ice-cooling tank body (1), a transfer tank body (2), and a transfer core unit (3), Engagement grooves (4) are provided on the left and right inner walls of the transfer tank body (2), and the transfer core unit (3) is inserted into and engaged with the engagement grooves (4). An ice block support plate (5) is horizontally provided inside the ice cooling tank body (1), and the transfer tank body (2) is placed on the ice block support plate (5). A small water pump (6) is provided on the side wall of the transfer tank body (2), and a cooling water pipe (7) connected to the discharge port of the small water pump (6) is laid at the bottom of the transfer tank body (2). A gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus characterized in that both ends of the cooling water pipe (7) penetrate the side wall of the transfer tank body (2), a suction pipe (8) is connected to the suction port of the small water pump (6), and the suction pipe (8) penetrates the ice block mounting plate (5) and extends toward the bottom of the ice cooling tank body (1).

2. The discharge port of the small water pump (6) and one end of the cooling water pipe (7) are connected via the first hose (9). A second hose (10) is connected to the other end of the cooling water pipe (7), and the second hose (10) extends through the ice block mounting plate (5) toward the bottom of the ice cooling tank body (1). Horizontal regulating ridges (11) are fixed to the inner wall of the ice cooling tank body (1), the ice block mounting plate (5) is placed on the horizontal regulating ridges (11), the area below the ice block mounting plate (5) is a chilled water chamber (12), and the area above the ice block mounting plate (5) is an ice block chamber (13). The gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that two coolant storage chambers (14) are provided inside the transfer tank body (2), the two coolant storage chambers (14) are located on both the front and rear sides of the transfer core unit (3), and the coolant storage chambers (14) are configured to accommodate coolants.

3. A regulating plate (15) is fixed below the engagement groove (4). The transfer core unit (3) abuts against the top of the regulating plate (15), The gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling water pipe (7) is laid between the regulating plate (15) and the bottom wall of the transfer tank body (2).

4. The ice block support plate (5) is provided with a plurality of through holes (16). The gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the diameter of the through hole (16) is larger than the outer diameter of the water intake tube (8) and the second hose (10).

5. The gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that handles (17) are fixed to both sides of the top of the ice block mounting plate (5).

6. The gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling water pipe (7) is arranged in a meandering manner at the bottom of the transfer tank body (2).

7. The gel electrophoresis transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that both the ice block mounting plate (5) and the cooling water pipe (7) are formed of a thermally conductive material.

Images