New vertical electrophoresis apparatus and use thereof

Abstract

A vertical electrophoresis apparatus, comprising: i) an electrophoresis tank, and ii) at least one group of detachable electrophoresis inner cores, wherein a tank base (25) of the electrophoresis tank comprises a first electrode (24), a first electrode plug (30), a second electrode plug (26), and an electrode plug guide piece (23); each group of detachable electrophoresis inner cores comprises at least one detachable electrophoresis gel plate, and each detachable electrophoresis inner core comprises inner core frames (2, 13) and a second electrode (1), the inner core frames (2, 13) being configured to be capable of assembling the gel plate or a gel replacement plate; the first electrode (24) is configured to connect to the first electrode plug (30) and can be electrically connected to the first electrode plug (30); the second electrode (1) is configured to electrically connect to the electrode plug guide piece (23); and the electrode plug guide piece (23) is configured to connect to the second electrode plug (26) and can be electrically connected to the second electrode plug (26).

Description

A novel vertical electrophoresis device and its application

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application number CN202311376763.1, filed on October 23, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present application relates to a vertical electrophoresis device, which is compatible with the use of two or more gel blocks of different sizes, in particular, it is compatible with the use of mini gel and midi gel. Background Art

[0004] Electrophoresis is a commonly used bioanalytical technique that uses the differences in migration rates and isoelectric points of nucleic acids or proteins in an electric field to achieve molecular separation, identification, and quantification.

[0005] From the perspective of morphology, there are basically three types of electrophoresis devices:

[0006] i) A disk electrophoresis apparatus, consisting of two upper and lower electrophoresis tanks and a lid with platinum electrodes. The upper tank has several wells sealed with silicone plugs for inserting electrophoresis gel tubes. Unused wells are plugged with silicone rubber plugs. Due to variations in the preparation process and subsequent wear, large variations in the inner diameters between wells can make it difficult to maintain a tight seal in the upper electrophoresis tank. As a result, disk electrophoresis has been largely replaced by plate electrophoresis (horizontal / vertical), and is only used sparingly for analyzing large protein complexes.

[0007] ii) Horizontal electrophoresis apparatus, which generally consists of a horizontal electrophoresis tank base, a cooling plate, and electrodes. Positive and negative electrodes are located at either end of the tank base, bridged by filter paper or agarose gel to separate the gels. Horizontal electrophoresis is widely used in agarose nucleic acid electrophoresis, but in protein electrophoresis, vertical electrophoresis is almost exclusively used due to the need for discontinuous gels. Horizontal electrophoresis is only used in applications such as isoelectric focusing.

[0008] iii) Vertical electrophoresis apparatus: Its basic structure and electrophoresis principle are similar to those of disk electrophoresis, with the main difference being that gel preparation and electrophoresis are performed between two vertically placed parallel glass plates, rather than in an electrophoresis tube. Vertical electrophoresis apparatus can be used for both protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis.

[0009] As can be seen from the above, vertical electrophoresis is the most widely used and applicable type of electrophoresis. When using a vertical electrophoresis device for electrophoresis, it is necessary to prepare gel plates, electrophoresis buffer, a DC power supply, and sample loading devices. The assembly of the electrophoresis device usually includes removing the comb on the upper part of the gel plate, removing the sealing tape on the bottom and / or side of the gel plate if necessary, inserting the gel plate vertically into the gap in the inner core of the electrophoresis tank, and sealing to form an inner electrophoresis tank, ensuring that the short gel plate faces the inner electrophoresis tank and the long gel plate faces the outer electrophoresis tank, wherein the negative electrode is usually connected in the inner tank and the positive electrode is connected in the outer tank. Electrophoresis buffer is added to the inner tank and outer tank respectively. The liquid level in the outer tank needs to be lower than the liquid level in the inner tank to avoid short circuits, and the liquid level in the inner tank needs to be higher than the short plate of the gel plate to ensure that the inner tank buffer is fully in contact with the gel on the upper part of the gel plate (comb hole position) to avoid short circuits. Then, the sample is loaded using a sampler, and a constant voltage or current is set according to actual needs to implement the separation of nucleic acid or protein molecules.

[0010] Currently, there are numerous vertical electrophoresis devices on the market, all with similar morphologies and structures. For example, all employ a gel plate to separate the inner and outer tanks to prevent leakage and circuit shorting; all utilize platinum electrode wire as the positive electrode material to prevent electrode material consumption; and most utilize platinum electrode wire as the negative electrode material. These devices are typically designed to accommodate only one size of gel plate, such as mini or midi gel. When the electrophoresis core is removable from the tank, both electrodes are typically mounted on the core.

[0011] Summary of the Invention

[0012] The inventors of this application have designed a new vertical electrophoresis device, which may include an electrophoresis tank and a detachable electrophoresis core, wherein the electrophoresis tank is provided with a first electrode (for example, a positive electrode) and a first electrode plug connected thereto, as well as a second electrode plug and an electrode plug guide connected thereto, and the detachable electrophoresis core is provided with a second electrode (for example, a negative electrode), and the second electrode can be electrically connected to the second electrode plug through the electrode plug guide.

[0013] The vertical electrophoresis device of the present application can i) reduce the collision damage to the electrode during the assembly of the detachable electrophoresis core by assembling one electrode (for example, the positive electrode) in the electrophoresis tank; ii) assemble another electrode (for example, the negative electrode) on the detachable electrophoresis core, and arrange the electrode endpoints according to the type of the detachable electrophoresis core (a core that can only be assembled with a single gel plate, such as a midi-type core, or a core that can be assembled with two gel plates, such as a mini-type core), so that the endpoints are electrically connected to the electrode plugs provided in the electrophoresis tank through the electrode plug guide, thereby minimizing the size of the electrophoresis tank while assembling different types of electrophoresis cores, reducing the preparation of electrode plugs, and reducing production costs; iii) arrange the two endpoints of the electrode on the detachable electrophoresis core in mirror symmetry or arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner to facilitate "error-proof" assembly of the electrophoresis core and the electrophoresis tank; iv) using stainless steel and platinum materials instead of platinum wire electrodes to improve electrode durability while controlling electrode costs; v) comprising two or more sets of detachable electrophoresis cores that can be assembled with gel plates of different sizes, thereby expanding the adaptability range of gel plate sizes; vi) setting two adjacent but physically separated electrophoresis tanks, so that only one of the electrophoresis tanks can be used to reduce the use of consumables such as buffer, or using two electrophoresis tanks at the same time to perform parallel electrophoresis experiments on multiple gels, and when using two electrophoresis tanks, the electrophoresis in one of the electrophoresis tanks can be stopped at any time without affecting the electrophoresis in the other electrophoresis tank; and / or vii) setting the electrodes on the electrophoresis core close to the gel loading wells to improve the electrophoresis efficiency.

[0014] In a first aspect, the present application provides a vertical electrophoresis device, which may include:

[0015] i) an electrophoresis tank, which may include a tank base and an upper cover, wherein the tank base may include a first electrode, a first electrode plug, a second electrode plug, and an electrode plug guide, and

[0016] ii) one or more detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each group of detachable electrophoresis cores may include one or more detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each detachable electrophoresis core may include a core frame and a second electrode, and the core frame may be configured to assemble a gel plate or a gel replacement plate,

[0017] The first electrode can be configured to be connected to the first electrode plug and can be electrically connected to the first electrode plug,

[0018] The second electrode may be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode plug guide, and the electrode plug guide may be configured to be connected to the second electrode plug and be electrically connected to the second electrode plug.

[0019] The detachable electrophoresis inner core can be configured to be fixed vertically in the electrophoresis tank.

[0020] The electrophoresis tank may also contain electrical cables and a power supply for the electrophoresis instrument.

[0021] The upper cover can be configured to cover the tank base, in particular to hermetically cover the tank base. The upper cover can include a first power interface and a second power interface. The first power interface can be configured to electrically connect to the first electrode plug and to the power cable. The second power interface can be configured to electrically connect to the second electrode plug and to the power cable.

[0022] The inner core frame of each group of detachable electrophoresis inner cores can be configured to form a sealed trough with an upper opening together with the gel plate and / or the gel replacement plate.

[0023] The inner core frame of each detachable electrophoresis inner core may include a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame body.

[0024] The inner core frame may further include a sealing strip and a groove for accommodating the sealing strip, which is configured to allow the gel plate or gel replacement plate to be in sealing contact with the inner core frame to form a sealing groove body with an upper opening.

[0025] The inner core frame may further include a gel sheet or gel replacement sheet fastener configured to compress the gel sheet or gel replacement sheet toward the inner core frame.

[0026] The tank base can be configured to accommodate a detachable electrophoresis inner core selected from any group. In particular, the tank base can be configured to only accommodate a detachable electrophoresis inner core selected from any group.

[0027] The vertical electrophoresis device may include two or more sets of detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each set of detachable electrophoresis cores can be equipped with gel plates or gel replacement plates of different sizes.

[0028] In some embodiments, the vertical electrophoresis device may include more than two groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, and each group of detachable electrophoresis cores can be equipped with gel plates or gel replacement plates of different sizes. Each detachable electrophoresis core in each group can be configured to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate.

[0029] In some embodiments, the vertical electrophoresis device may include two or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, each group of detachable electrophoresis cores being able to assemble gel plates or gel replacement plates of different sizes, wherein each detachable electrophoresis core in each group may be configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate.

[0030] In some embodiments, the vertical electrophoresis device may include two or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each detachable electrophoresis core of one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores may be configured to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, and each of the one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores may be configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate.

[0031] Each detachable electrophoresis core can accommodate a gel plate or gel replacement plate of approximately 10 cm × 10 cm, or approximately 10 cm × 15 cm. In some embodiments, the vertical electrophoresis device can include two sets of detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein one set of detachable electrophoresis cores can accommodate a gel plate or gel replacement plate of approximately 10 cm × 10 cm, and the other set of detachable electrophoresis cores can accommodate a gel plate or gel replacement plate of approximately 10 cm × 15 cm.

[0032] The trough base may be substantially in the shape of a cuboid, comprising a bottom plate and four side plates.

[0033] In one embodiment, the first and second electrode plugs can be disposed at the top ends of a side panel comprising a long side of the tank base, respectively. The electrode plug guide can be disposed on the top of the same side panel or a side panel adjacent to the side panel, near the second electrode plug, and protrude into the tank base. Specifically, the electrode plug guide can protrude horizontally into the tank base. Specifically, the electrode plug guide can protrude horizontally into the tank base in a direction parallel to the side panel on which the first and second electrode plugs are disposed. In a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, one end of the second electrode can be configured to extend horizontally outward from a side panel adjacent to the gel plate to be mounted, perpendicular to the side panel, and then bend to form a "∟" shape, or to extend outward and bend to form a bidirectional "T" shape. In particular, for a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the two ends of the second electrode can extend outwardly from two side plates adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a centrally symmetrical manner relative to the center of the top surface of the frame body in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the two side plates and then bend to form a "∟" shape, or extend outwardly and extend in both directions after bending to form a "T" shape. For a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, one end of the second electrode can extend outwardly from the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a horizontal direction. For a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, one end of the second electrode can extend outwardly from the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a horizontal direction parallel to the side plate. In particular, for a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the two ends of the second electrode can be extended outwardly from the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a horizontal direction in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate to be assembled and perpendicular to the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, for a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the two ends of the second electrode can be extended outwardly from the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a horizontal direction in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate to be assembled and perpendicular to the gel plate to be assembled.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first and second electrode plugs may be arranged mirror-symmetrically on the tops of two side panels containing the short sides of the tank base, relative to a line connecting the centers of the two long sides of the tank base. The electrode plug guide may be arranged on the top of the side panel where the second electrode plug is arranged, and protrude into the tank base. Specifically, the electrode plug guide may protrude horizontally into the tank base. Specifically, the electrode plug guide may protrude horizontally into the tank base in a direction perpendicular to the side panel on which it is arranged. In some embodiments, the first and second electrode plugs may be arranged substantially at the center of the tops of two side panels containing the short sides of the tank base. The electrode plug guide may be arranged on the top of the side panel where the second electrode plug is arranged, and protrude into the tank base. Specifically, the electrode plug guide may be arranged substantially at the center of the top of the side panel where the second electrode plug is arranged, and protrude into the tank base. Specifically, the electrode plug guide may be arranged substantially at the center of the top of the side panel where the second electrode plug is arranged, and protrude into the tank base. Specifically, the electrode plug guide may be arranged substantially at the center of the top of the side panel where the second electrode plug is arranged, and protrude into the tank base. In particular, the electrode plug guide can be positioned substantially at the center of the top of the side panel on which the second electrode plug is disposed and protrude horizontally toward the interior of the tank base in a direction perpendicular to the side panel in which it is positioned. Each detachable electrophoresis core, including a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, and a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, can extend one end of the second electrode horizontally outward from a side panel adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, each detachable electrophoresis core, including a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, and a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, can extend both ends of the second electrode horizontally outward from two side panels adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a centrally symmetrical manner relative to the center of the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plate to be assembled.

[0035] In a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the core frame may further include a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending horizontally outwardly from the two side plates of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plates to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body. One end portion of the second electrode extending outwardly from the side plate may be disposed on the first protrusion and configured to protrude outwardly from the first protrusion. Both ends of the second electrode may be disposed on the first protrusion and the second protrusion, respectively, and configured to protrude outwardly from the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0036] In a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the core frame further includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending horizontally outward from two side plates of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be mounted, parallel to the gel plate to be mounted. The lengths of the sides of the third and fourth protrusions adjoining the two side plates may be shorter than the lengths of the sides of the two side plates adjoining the third and fourth protrusions.

[0037] For a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, the bottom plate and / or two side plates of the frame body can be relatively thick, for example, each of which can be 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, or 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, the bottom plate and two side plates of the frame body can be relatively thick, for example, each of which can be 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, or 2.5 cm.

[0038] The first electrode can be located at any position of the tank base, configured to be connected to the first electrode plug, and at least a portion thereof is in contact with the electrophoresis buffer when the electrophoresis buffer is poured into the tank base. In some embodiments, the first electrode can be arranged on a side panel on which the first electrode plug is arranged. In some embodiments, the first electrode can be arranged on a side panel and a bottom panel on which the first electrode plug is arranged. The first electrode can be attached to the surface of the tank base or embedded in the tank base. In some embodiments, the first electrode can be embedded in the tank base or attached to the surface of the tank base by integral molding, such as injection molding.

[0039] The second electrode, except for one or two ends having the above-mentioned special configuration, the other parts can be located at any position of the inner core frame, and is configured so that at least a part of it contacts the electrophoresis buffer when the electrophoresis buffer is poured into the sealed groove formed by the inner core frame and the gel plate to be assembled. The second electrode can be attached to the surface of the inner core frame or embedded in the inner core frame. In some embodiments, the second electrode can be formed together with the inner core frame in an integral manner, for example, by injection molding. In some embodiments, the second electrode can be made in the form of being embedded in the inner core frame by an integral molding manner, such as injection molding. In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, the part of the second electrode that contacts the electrophoresis buffer can be attached to or embedded in the bottom plate of the frame body, or attached to or embedded in the side plate of the frame body opposite to the gel plate to be assembled, or attached to or embedded in the bottom plate of the frame body and the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in a side panel of the frame body opposite the gel plate to be assembled, below the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in a side panel of the frame body opposite the gel plate to be assembled, at a height slightly lower than the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled. In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in one or two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled, below the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in the bottom panel of the frame body and one or two side panels adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled, below the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, the portion of the second electrode in contact with the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in the two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled below the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled, and spans the frame body, wherein the width of the portion of the second electrode in contact with the running buffer is less than the width of the one or two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, the portion of the second electrode in contact with the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in the two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled at the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled, and spans the frame body, wherein the width of the portion of the second electrode in contact with the running buffer is less than the width of the one or two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled.

[0040] The inner core frame may further include an electrophoresis inner core fixing member configured to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis inner core in the tank base of the electrophoresis tank. In some embodiments, the electrophoresis inner core fixing member may be a first protrusion and a second protrusion. In some embodiments, the electrophoresis inner core fixing member may be a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion.

[0041] The tank base may further include a detachable electrophoresis core fixing member, which may be configured to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis core in the tank base of the electrophoresis tank. In some embodiments, the detachable electrophoresis core fixing member may mate with the electrophoresis core fixing member on the detachable electrophoresis core to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis core in the tank base of the electrophoresis tank. In some embodiments, the tank base may include a groove on each of two opposing side panels comprising a short side of the tank base, configured to mate with the first protrusion and the second protrusion, or the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion, to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis core in the electrophoresis tank.

[0042] The first power interface can be a positive power interface, and the second power interface can be a negative power interface. The first electrode can be a positive electrode, and the second electrode can be a negative electrode. The positive electrode and the negative electrode can be made of any suitable conductive material, such as a conductive metal, a conductive alloy, graphite, etc., including, but not limited to, consumable electrode materials (such as copper), inert materials (such as platinum, titanium, graphite), electrode materials with inert metals (such as platinum, iridium) on the surface, stainless steel, etc. In some embodiments, the positive electrode can be made of a metal (stainless steel, copper, iron, titanium or their alloys) with an inert conductive metal (such as gold, platinum, iridium, tantalum) on the surface. In some embodiments, the positive electrode can be made of a stainless steel material with an inert conductive metal (such as gold, platinum, iridium, tantalum) on the surface. In some embodiments, the negative electrode can be made of a stainless steel material. The stainless steel material can be selected from 204, 304, 314 or 316 stainless steel.

[0043] The first electrode plug and the second electrode plug can be made of any suitable conductive material, such as conductive metal, conductive alloy, graphite, etc., including, but not limited to, consumable electrode materials (such as copper), inert materials (such as platinum, titanium, graphite), stainless steel, etc.

[0044] The electrode plug guide can be made of any suitable conductive material, such as conductive metal, conductive alloy, graphite, etc., including, but not limited to, consumable electrode materials (such as copper), inert materials (such as platinum, titanium, graphite), stainless steel, etc.

[0045] In a second aspect, the present application provides a vertical electrophoresis device, which may include:

[0046] i) an electrophoresis tank, which may include a tank base and an upper cover, wherein the tank base may include a first electrode, a first electrode plug, a second electrode plug, and an electrode plug guide, and

[0047] ii) one or more detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each group of detachable electrophoresis cores may include one or more detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each detachable electrophoresis core may include a core frame and a second electrode, and the core frame may be configured to assemble a gel plate or a gel replacement plate,

[0048] The first electrode can be configured to be connected to the first electrode plug and can be electrically connected to the first electrode plug,

[0049] The second electrode can be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode plug guide, and the electrode plug guide can be configured to be connected to the second electrode plug and electrically connected to the second electrode plug.

[0050] The trough base may include a first trough body and a second trough body, the first trough body and the second trough body may both be substantially rectangular parallelepipeds, the first trough body and the second trough body may be arranged with their long sides facing each other and their short sides in a straight line, and may share a side plate.

[0051] The first electrode plug and the second electrode plug can be respectively arranged at two top ends of a side plate shared by the first tank body and the second tank body.

[0052] The electrode plug guide can be disposed on the top of the common side panel or a side panel adjacent to the side panel, near the second electrode plug, and protrude into the first and second trough bodies. Specifically, the electrode plug guide can protrude horizontally into the first and second trough bodies. Specifically, the electrode plug guide can protrude horizontally into the first and second trough bodies in a direction parallel to the common side panel. The electrode plug guide can, for example, be U-shaped, with the bottom of the U connected to the second electrode plug.

[0053] The first tank body and the second tank body can be configured to respectively accommodate one detachable electrophoresis inner core selected from any group. In particular, the first tank body and the second tank body can be configured to respectively only accommodate one detachable electrophoresis inner core selected from any group.

[0054] The inner core frame of each group of detachable electrophoresis inner cores can be configured to form a sealed trough with an upper opening together with the gel plate and / or the gel replacement plate.

[0055] The inner core frame may further include a sealing strip and a groove for accommodating the sealing strip, which is configured to allow the gel plate or gel replacement plate to be in sealing contact with the inner core frame to form a sealing groove body with an upper opening.

[0056] The inner core frame may further include a gel sheet or gel replacement sheet fastener configured to compress the gel sheet or gel replacement sheet toward the inner core frame.

[0057] The vertical electrophoresis apparatus may comprise:

[0058] i) more than one set of detachable electrophoresis cores, each detachable electrophoresis core in each set of detachable electrophoresis cores can be configured to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate;

[0059] ii) more than one set of detachable electrophoresis cores, each detachable electrophoresis core in each set can be configured to only accommodate one gel plate; or

[0060] iii) Two or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each detachable electrophoresis core in one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores is configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, and each detachable electrophoresis core in one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores is configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate.

[0061] The sizes of the gel plates or gel replacement plates that can be assembled with each set of detachable electrophoresis cores can be different. In some embodiments, the vertical electrophoresis device can include two or more sets of detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein the sizes of the gel plates or gel replacement plates that can be assembled with each set of detachable electrophoresis cores can be different.

[0062] Each detachable electrophoresis core can accommodate a gel plate or gel replacement plate of approximately 10 cm × 10 cm, or approximately 10 cm × 15 cm. In some embodiments, the vertical electrophoresis device can include two sets of detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein one set of detachable electrophoresis cores can accommodate a gel plate or gel replacement plate of approximately 10 cm × 10 cm, and the other set of detachable electrophoresis cores can accommodate a gel plate or gel replacement plate of approximately 10 cm × 15 cm.

[0063] The inner core frame of each detachable electrophoresis inner core may include a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame body.

[0064] In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, one end portion of the second electrode may be configured to extend outwardly from a side plate adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body of the core frame in a direction perpendicular to the side plate and then bend to form a "∟" shape, or to extend outwardly and then bend to extend in both directions to form a "T" shape. In particular, in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the two ends of the second electrode may be configured to extend outwardly from two side plates adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction perpendicular to the two side plates and then bend to form a "∟" shape, or to extend outwardly and then bend to extend in both directions to form a "T" shape.

[0065] In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the two ends of the second electrode can be extended outwardly from the side panel opposite the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a horizontal direction, in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate to be assembled and perpendicular to the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the two ends of the second electrode can be extended outwardly from the side panel opposite the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body in a horizontal direction, in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate to be assembled and perpendicular to the gel plate to be assembled, in a direction parallel to the side panel.

[0066] The electrophoresis tank may also contain electrical cables and a power supply for the electrophoresis instrument.

[0067] The upper cover can be configured to cover the tank base, in particular to hermetically cover the tank base. The upper cover can include a first power interface and a second power interface. The first power interface can be configured to electrically connect to the first electrode plug and to the power cable. The second power interface can be configured to electrically connect to the second electrode plug and to the power cable.

[0068] In a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the core frame may further include a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending horizontally outwardly from the two side plates of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plates to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body. One end of the second electrode extending outwardly from the side plate may be disposed on the first protrusion and configured to protrude outward from the first protrusion. The two ends of the second electrode are respectively disposed on the first protrusion and the second protrusion and configured to protrude outwardly from the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0069] In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the core frame further includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending horizontally outward from two side plates of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate in a direction parallel to the gel plate. The lengths of the sides of the third and fourth protrusions that connect to the two side plates may be shorter than the lengths of the sides of the two side plates that connect to the third and fourth protrusions.

[0070] For a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, the bottom plate and / or two side plates of the frame body can be relatively thick, for example, each of which can be 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, or 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, the bottom plate and two side plates of the frame body can be relatively thick, for example, each of which can be 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, or 2.5 cm.

[0071] The first electrode can be arranged at any position of the tank base, configured to be connected to the first electrode plug, at least a portion of which is in contact with the electrophoresis buffer to be added in the first tank body, and at least a portion of which is in contact with the electrophoresis buffer to be added in the second tank body. In some embodiments, the first electrode can be arranged on a common side plate of the first tank body and the second tank body. In some embodiments, the first electrode can be arranged on a common side plate of the first tank body and the second tank body, and on the bottom plate of the first tank body and / or the second tank body. The first electrode can be attached to the surface of the first tank body, or embedded in the first tank body, and can be attached to the surface of the second tank body, or embedded in the second tank body. In some embodiments, the first electrode can be embedded in the first tank body and / or the second tank body, or attached to the surface of the first tank body and / or the second tank body by integral molding, such as injection molding.

[0072] The second electrode, except for one or two ends having the above-mentioned special configuration, the other parts can be located at any position of the inner core frame, and is configured so that at least a part of it contacts the electrophoresis buffer when the electrophoresis buffer is poured into the sealed groove formed by the inner core frame and the gel plate to be assembled. The second electrode can be attached to the surface of the inner core frame or embedded in the inner core frame. In some embodiments, the second electrode can be formed together with the inner core frame in an integral manner, for example, by injection molding. In some embodiments, the second electrode can be made in the form of being embedded in the inner core frame by an integral molding manner, such as injection molding. In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, the part of the second electrode that contacts the electrophoresis buffer can be attached to or embedded in the bottom plate of the frame body, or attached to or embedded in the side plate of the frame body opposite to the gel plate to be assembled, or attached to or embedded in the bottom plate of the frame body and the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in a side panel of the frame body opposite the gel plate to be assembled, below the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in a side panel of the frame body opposite the gel plate to be assembled, at a height slightly lower than the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled. In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in one or two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled, below the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in the bottom panel of the frame body and one or two side panels adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled, below the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, the portion of the second electrode in contact with the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in the two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled below the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled, and spans the frame body, wherein the width of the portion of the second electrode in contact with the running buffer is less than the width of the one or two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled. In particular, the portion of the second electrode in contact with the running buffer can be attached to or embedded in the two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled at the height of the short panel of the gel plate to be assembled, and spans the frame body, wherein the width of the portion of the second electrode in contact with the running buffer is less than the width of the one or two side panels of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled.

[0073] The inner core frame may further include an electrophoresis inner core fixing member configured to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis inner core in the tank base of the electrophoresis tank. In some embodiments, the electrophoresis inner core fixing member may be a first protrusion and a second protrusion. In some embodiments, the electrophoresis inner core fixing member may be a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion.

[0074] The tank base may also include a detachable electrophoresis core fixing part, which may be configured to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis core in the tank base of the electrophoresis tank. In some embodiments, the detachable electrophoresis core fixing part may match the electrophoresis core fixing part on the detachable electrophoresis core to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis core in the tank base of the electrophoresis tank. In some embodiments, the tank base may include a groove on each of the two opposite side panels of the first tank body containing the short side, configured to match the first protrusion and the second protrusion, or the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion, to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis core to the electrophoresis tank. In some embodiments, the tank base may include a groove on each of the two opposite side panels of the second tank body containing the short side, configured to match the first protrusion and the second protrusion, or the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion, to vertically fix the detachable electrophoresis core to the electrophoresis tank. In some embodiments, the tank base may include a groove on two opposite side panels of the first tank body and the second tank body containing their respective short sides, respectively, configured to match the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and / or the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion to vertically fix the removable electrophoresis core to the electrophoresis tank.

[0075] The first power interface can be a positive power interface, and the second power interface can be a negative power interface. The first electrode can be a positive electrode, and the second electrode can be a negative electrode. The positive electrode and the negative electrode can be made of any suitable conductive material, such as a conductive metal, a conductive alloy, graphite, etc., including, but not limited to, consumable electrode materials (such as copper), inert materials (such as platinum, titanium, graphite), electrode materials with inert metals (such as platinum, iridium) on the surface, stainless steel, etc. In some embodiments, the positive electrode can be made of a metal (stainless steel, copper, iron, titanium or their alloys) with an inert conductive metal (such as gold, platinum, iridium, tantalum) on the surface. In some embodiments, the positive electrode can be made of a stainless steel material with an inert conductive metal (such as gold, platinum, iridium, tantalum) on the surface. In some embodiments, the negative electrode can be made of a stainless steel material. The stainless steel material can be selected from 204, 304, 314 or 316 stainless steel.

[0076] The first electrode plug and the second electrode plug can be made of any suitable conductive material, such as conductive metal, conductive alloy, graphite, etc., including, but not limited to, consumable electrode materials (such as copper), inert materials (such as platinum, titanium, graphite), stainless steel, etc.

[0077] The electrode plug guide can be made of any suitable conductive material, such as conductive metal, conductive alloy, graphite, etc., including, but not limited to, consumable electrode materials (such as copper), inert materials (such as platinum, titanium, graphite), stainless steel, etc.

[0078] In a third aspect, the present application provides a method for vertical electrophoresis of a sample, comprising:

[0079] i) providing a vertical electrophoresis device according to the first aspect of the present application,

[0080] ii) selecting a detachable electrophoresis core and a corresponding gel plate, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, and assembling the gel plate, or the gel plate and the gel replacement plate, onto the core frame of the detachable electrophoresis core to form an electrophoresis inner tank with an upper opening;

[0081] iii) Assemble the detachable electrophoresis core into the electrophoresis tank base, and pour an appropriate amount of electrophoresis buffer into the electrophoresis tank and the tank base.

[0082] iv) adding the sample to be tested to the gel plate, and

[0083] v) Close the top cover of the electrophoresis tank, connect the power supply, and start electrophoresis.

[0084] The sample may contain nucleic acid molecules or protein molecules.

[0085] In step ii), the size of the gel plate and the number of gel plates can be determined according to the amount of the sample to be tested, so as to select the corresponding detachable electrophoresis core.

[0086] The detachable electrophoresis core in step ii) can be a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be equipped with two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, or a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be equipped with only one gel plate.

[0087] The present application also provides a method for performing vertical electrophoresis on a sample, comprising:

[0088] i) providing a vertical electrophoresis device according to the second aspect of the present application,

[0089] ii) selecting a detachable electrophoresis core and a corresponding gel plate, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, and assembling the gel plate, or the gel plate and the gel replacement plate, onto the core frame of the detachable electrophoresis core to form an electrophoresis inner tank with an upper opening;

[0090] iii) assembling the detachable electrophoresis core into the first tank body and / or the second tank body of the electrophoresis tank, and pouring an appropriate amount of electrophoresis buffer into the electrophoresis tank and the first tank body and / or the second tank body equipped with the detachable electrophoresis core, iv) adding the sample to be tested to the gel plate, and

[0091] v) Close the top cover of the electrophoresis tank, connect the power supply, and start electrophoresis.

[0092] The sample may contain nucleic acid molecules or protein molecules.

[0093] In step ii), the size of the gel plate and the number of gel plates can be determined according to the amount of the sample to be tested, so as to select the corresponding detachable electrophoresis core.

[0094] The number of the detachable electrophoresis cores in step ii) can be one or two.

[0095] The detachable electrophoresis core in step ii) can be a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be equipped with two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, and / or a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be equipped with only one gel plate.

[0096] Based on the following specific description and examples, other features and advantages of the current disclosure will become clearer, and specific description and examples should not be interpreted as restrictive. The contents of all documents, Genbank records, patents and published patent applications cited in this application are expressly included in this article by reference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0097] The following detailed description is given by way of example but is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments described, and can be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0098] FIG1 is a top view of a detachable electrophoresis core of the present application.

[0099] FIG2 is a top view of a detachable electrophoresis core of the present application equipped with a gel plate.

[0100] FIG3 is a top view (A) and a partial front view (B) of another detachable electrophoresis core of the present application.

[0101] FIG4 is a top view of another detachable electrophoresis core of the present application equipped with a gel plate.

[0102] FIG5 is a top view of the electrophoresis tank containing two tank bodies of the present application.

[0103] FIG6 is a top view of the electrophoresis tank of the present application equipped with two detachable electrophoresis cores.

[0104] FIG. 7 is a top view of an electrophoresis tank equipped with different numbers and types of detachable electrophoresis cores.

[0105] The reference numerals in the drawings of the specification are as follows:

[0106] 1-Second electrode, 2-Inner core frame, 3, 4-End of the second electrode, 5-Groove, 6-Sealing strip, 7-Gel plate fastener, 8-Short plate, 9-Long plate, 10-Gel, 11-Electrophoresis inner tank, 12-Electrophoresis outer tank, 13-Inner core frame, 14-Gel plate or gel replacement plate fastener, 15, 16-End of the second electrode, 17-Sealing strip, 18-Short plate, 19-Long plate, 20-Gel, 21-Electrophoresis inner tank, 22-Electrophoresis outer tank, 23-Electrode plug guide, 24-First electrode, 25-Tanker base, 26-Second electrode plug, 27-First tank body, 28-Second tank body, 29-Common side plate, 30-First electrode plug. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0107] Unless otherwise specified, the terms used herein have the ordinary meanings in dictionaries, textbooks, technical reference books, or as generally understood by those skilled in the art. The following descriptions of certain terms are intended only to facilitate understanding of this application and are not intended to be limiting of these terms unless otherwise specified.

[0108] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0109] "Removable" means that the connection between two or more objects is not permanent but can be connected and disconnected as needed. A "removable" electrophoresis core herein refers to an electrophoresis core that can be installed in and removed from an electrophoresis tank as needed. For example, a removable electrophoresis core can be installed in the electrophoresis tank before electrophoresis begins and removed from the tank after electrophoresis ends.

[0110] "Conductive materials" refer to materials that can be used to transport and conduct electric current, such as conductive metals, conductive alloys, and graphite. Metals generally refer to substances that possess a characteristic luster, opacity, ductility, and thermal and electrical conductivity. Most possess excellent electrical conductivity. Alloys are substances that exhibit metallic properties when mixed with two or more chemical substances (at least one of which is a metal). "Inert" metals generally refer to metals with low activity and strong resistance to oxidation and corrosion, including gold, silver, and the six platinum group elements (ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum). "Stainless steel" refers to metal alloys that are passive, corrosion-resistant, and rust-proof in the atmosphere and in corrosive media such as acids, alkalis, and salts. They typically contain a high content of chromium (12% to 30%) and elements such as nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, manganese, and tungsten. Because they contain metals, they are inherently conductive. Graphite is an allotrope of carbon that can be crystalline, and its conductivity is due to the large number of delocalized electrons in its crystal structure.

[0111] "Substantially cuboid" means an object's shape or outline approximates a cuboid, but is not a regular cuboid. A "substantially cuboid" object may have localized deformations, such as a cylindrical protrusion on one side or an inward concavity on one side.

[0112] A rectangular or substantially rectangular object, such as the trough base of the present application, has a long side that is the longer side of the rectangle or substantially the rectangle presented by the top or bottom surface of the object, and a short side that is the shorter side of the rectangle or substantially the rectangle presented by the top or bottom surface of the object.

[0113] "Matching" or "matching" in this application means that the shapes, sizes, etc. of two objects can enable the two objects to be tightly combined together in a manner such as engagement, meshing, embedding, etc. For example, the groove on the tank base can match the protrusion on the inner core frame, thereby vertically fixing the detachable electrophoresis inner core to the electrophoresis tank. Alternatively, "matching" or "matching" can refer to the shapes, sizes, etc. of two objects being in a basically identical and interchangeable state. For example, the size of the gel substitute plate can match the gel plate, which means that the shape and size of the gel substitute plate are basically the same as the gel plate, and can replace the gel plate and the inner core frame to form a sealed tank body.

[0114] As used herein, "sealed" refers to the tight connection of two objects so that no gas or liquid can pass through the joint. For example, a gel plate or gel replacement plate in this application can be assembled into an inner core frame to form a sealed electrophoresis tank with the inner core frame, so that the electrophoresis buffer poured into the tank cannot escape from the tank.

[0115] In this application, "embedded" in an object means firmly fixed in the object, which can be a state of being completely buried in the object or in contact with the outside world. For example, the electrode "embedded" in the tank base of this application can be completely buried in the plate of the tank base and unable to contact the outside air, or the plate of the tank base can fix the electrode in a semi-enclosed form so that the electrode can contact the outside air, as long as the condition that at least a portion of the electrode can contact the electrophoresis buffer is met.

[0116] "Vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane and parallel to the direction of gravity. "Horizontal plane" refers to the plane formed by the surface of water when it is at rest under the influence of gravity, and is perpendicular to the direction of gravity. "Horizontal direction" refers to a direction parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0117] "Vertical electrophoresis" refers to electrophoresis in which the gel is placed vertically and nucleic acid or protein molecules are separated in the vertical direction.

[0118] Two or more objects that are "electrically connected" allow current to flow, or the fact that current flows, when an external voltage is applied. Two or more objects that are "capable of being electrically connected" allow current to flow, or the fact that current flows, when an external voltage is applied, after being connected to each other.

[0119] "Configured to" means that a certain effect can be achieved through a certain structural design.

[0120] As used herein, the "top end portion" refers to the end portion on the top surface of the side panel.

[0121] There are generally two types of vertical electrophoresis devices on the market: midi and mini. Midi electrophoresis devices utilize a monolithic design, a midi electrophoresis tank, due to volume considerations and the amount of electrophoresis buffer required. The "core" of the midi electrophoresis tank is non-detachable and can only accommodate one gel slab. The gels used are typically larger, such as approximately 10 cm x 15 cm. Mini electrophoresis devices, on the other hand, typically have a detachable core. The first electrode, second electrode, first electrode plug, and second electrode plug are all mounted on the core. A maximum of two gel slabs can be mounted, and the gels used are typically smaller, such as approximately 10 cm x 10 cm.

[0122] Depending on the sample size, you can choose between a mini or midi electrophoresis unit. For example, when the number of samples to be tested is small, a mini electrophoresis unit can be used, using a single gel and a single gel plate. As the number of samples to be tested increases, a midi electrophoresis unit can be used.

[0123] When only a mini electrophoresis device or a midi electrophoresis device is equipped and it is not possible to select one according to the amount of sample to be tested, gel waste may result; and when both mini and midi electrophoresis devices are equipped, a larger space is required.

[0124] Furthermore, in a mini electrophoresis device, one electrode is mounted inside the core frame, while the other electrode (usually the positive electrode) is mounted on the bottom and outside of the core frame and is usually exposed. When installing the electrophoresis core into the electrophoresis tank, collisions can occur, resulting in accidents such as electrode breakage. Furthermore, the positive electrode is typically made of platinum, which is relatively expensive.

[0125] To address the above problems, the inventors of this application have designed a new vertical electrophoresis device, which may include:

[0126] i) an electrophoresis tank, which may include a tank base and an upper cover, wherein the tank base may include a first electrode, a first electrode plug, a second electrode plug, and an electrode plug guide, and

[0127] ii) one or more detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each set of detachable electrophoresis cores may include one or more detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each detachable electrophoresis core may include a core frame and a second electrode, wherein the core frame may be configured to assemble a gel plate or a gel replacement plate,

[0128] The first electrode can be configured to be connected to the first electrode plug and can be electrically connected to the first electrode plug,

[0129] The second electrode may be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode plug guide, and the electrode plug guide may be configured to be connected to the second electrode plug and be electrically connected to the second electrode plug.

[0130] The first electrode can be located anywhere on the tank base, for example, on the side panels of the tank base, or on the side panels and bottom panel. By attaching or embedding the electrodes typically located on the outside and bottom of the electrophoresis core (such as the first electrode in this application) on the tank base, particularly on the side panels and bottom panel of the tank base, collision damage to the electrodes can be significantly reduced, extending the service life of the electrophoresis device and improving the user experience.

[0131] In addition, by setting the second electrode plug on the slot base and electrically connecting it to the second electrode on the electrophoresis core through the electrode plug guide, when the electrophoresis device is configured with multiple detachable electrophoresis cores, the electrophoresis core does not need to be configured with the second electrode plug, which can simplify the preparation process of the electrophoresis core, reduce the material usage of the second electrode plug, and reduce costs.

[0132] Each set of removable electrophoresis cores in the electrophoresis device has the same structure and can accommodate gel plates or gel replacement plates of the same size. When two or more sets of removable electrophoresis cores are configured, each set can be configured to accommodate gel plates or gel replacement plates of different sizes. For example, one set of cores can be configured to accommodate gel plates or gel replacement plates measuring approximately 10 cm x 10 cm, while another set can be configured to accommodate gel plates or gel replacement plates measuring approximately 10 cm x 15 cm. This expands the range of gel plates that can be accommodated by the electrophoresis device.

[0133] A mini-type electrophoresis core, i.e., an electrophoresis core that can accommodate up to two gel plates, typically has its second electrode located on the centerline of the core frame. A midi-type electrophoresis core, i.e., an electrophoresis core that can accommodate up to one gel plate, typically has its second electrode located on the side panel opposite the gel plate rather than on the centerline of the core frame. Therefore, when an electrophoresis device is to be compatible with both a midi-type electrophoresis core and a mini-type electrophoresis core, according to the original design, i.e., without changing the structure of the midi and mini cores, including but not limited to the placement of the second electrode plug, the distribution of the second electrode, and the connection method between the second electrode plug and the second electrode, the mini-type core needs to be installed in the middle of the tank base, while the midi-type core needs to be installed in one half of the tank base. This requires a larger tank base volume to accommodate this arrangement.

[0134] In the present application, by carefully designing the arrangement position of the second electrode plug and the connection method between the second electrode plug and the second electrode (i.e., connecting the second electrode and the second electrode plug through the electrode plug guide), the volume of the tank base can be greatly reduced, the floor space can be reduced, and the amount of electrophoresis buffer used in the electrophoresis outer tank can be reduced. The tank base of the present application can be configured to just accommodate midi-type and mini-type electrophoresis cores. Here, "just enough to accommodate" means that after the tank base accommodates any type of electrophoresis core, there is almost no extra internal space.

[0135] Specifically, the first and second electrode plugs can be positioned at the top ends of a side panel encompassing a long side of the tank base. The electrode plug guide can be positioned at the top of the same side panel or a side panel adjacent to the side panel, near the second electrode plug, and protrude into the tank base. The electrode plug guide and the second electrode can be connected at a higher point to prevent accidental contact with the electrophoresis buffer in the electrophoresis outer tank. Specifically, the electrode plug guide can protrude horizontally into the tank base. Specifically, the electrode plug guide can protrude horizontally into the tank base in a direction parallel to the side panel on which the first and second electrode plugs are positioned.

[0136] In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, one end portion of the second electrode may be configured to extend outwardly from a side plate adjacent to the gel plate in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body of the core frame in a direction perpendicular to the side plate and then bend to form a "∟" shape, or to extend outwardly and then bend to extend in both directions to form a "T" shape. In particular, in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the two ends of the second electrode may be configured to extend outwardly from two side plates adjacent to the gel plate in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction perpendicular to the two side plates and then bend to form a "∟" shape, or to extend outwardly and then bend to extend in both directions to form a "T" shape, in a centrosymmetrical manner relative to the center of the top surface of the frame body. When the endpoint of the second electrode extends in a "∟" shape, during preparation of the electrophoresis device, care must be taken to ensure that the bending direction matches the configuration of the electrode plug guide to prevent the endpoint from being unable to connect with the electrode plug guide. When one end of the second electrode extends outward in a "T" shape, care must be taken to ensure that the electrophoresis core is installed in the correct direction to ensure connection with the electrode plug guide. When both ends extend outward in a "T" shape with central symmetry, there is no need for judgment during preparation and installation, allowing for easy, "fool-proof" assembly.

[0137] For a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, one end of the second electrode can extend horizontally outward from the side panel opposite the gel plate on the top surface of the frame body. Specifically, one end of the second electrode can extend horizontally outward from the side panel opposite the gel plate on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the side panel. If only one end extends outward, during electrophoresis device fabrication, care must be taken to ensure that the outwardly extending end point matches the configuration of the electrode plug guide to prevent the end point of the second electrode from being unable to connect with the electrode plug guide and to ensure that the tank base is "just right" for accommodating any type of electrophoresis core. Specifically, for a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, both ends of the second electrode can extend horizontally outward from the side panel opposite the gel plate on the top surface of the frame body in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate and perpendicular to the gel plate. In particular, the detachable electrophoresis core is configured to be capable of assembling only one gel plate, and the two ends of the second electrode can be extended outward from the side plate opposite to the gel plate in the horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the side plate, in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate and perpendicular to the gel plate.

[0138] In order to ensure that the tank base can just accommodate a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be equipped with two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, and reduce the amount of running buffer used in the electrophoresis outer tank, the bottom plate and / or two side plates of the frame body of such an electrophoresis core can have a greater thickness. The greater thickness can be 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, or 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the bottom plate and two side plates of the frame body can be greater, for example, each can be 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, or 2.5 cm.

[0139] In addition, by changing the distribution of the second electrode of the midi-type core and arranging the distribution of the first electrode plug and the second electrode plug accordingly, it is possible to make the two types of electrophoresis cores compatible and minimize the volume of the tank base. Specifically, the first electrode plug and the second electrode plug can be arranged on the top of the two side panels containing the short sides of the tank base in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to the line connecting the centers of the two long sides of the tank base, and the electrode plug guide can be arranged on the top of the side panel on which the second electrode plug is arranged and protrude into the tank base. In some embodiments, the first electrode plug and the second electrode plug can be respectively arranged at the substantially center of the top of the two side panels containing the short sides of the tank base, and the electrode plug guide can be arranged on the top of the side panel on which the second electrode plug is arranged and protrude into the tank base. Each detachable electrophoresis core, including a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, and a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, can extend one end of the second electrode outward from a side plate adjacent to the gel plate in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plate, or can extend the two ends of the second electrode outward from the two side plates adjacent to the gel plate in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plate in a centrally symmetrical manner relative to the center of the top surface of the frame body.

[0140] In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the core frame may further include a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending outwardly from the two side plates of the frame body in a horizontal direction in a direction parallel to the gel plates on the top surface of the frame body. The first protrusion and the second protrusion can match the structure on the tank base, such as a groove, to vertically fix the electrophoresis device in the electrophoresis tank. One end of the second electrode extending outward from the side plate can be arranged on the first protrusion and configured to protrude outward from the first protrusion. The two ends of the second electrode can be respectively arranged on the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and configured to protrude outward from the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0141] In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be capable of assembling only one gel plate, the core frame further includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending outwardly from the two side plates of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate in a horizontal direction in a direction parallel to the gel plate on the top surface of the frame body. The third protrusion and the fourth protrusion can match the structure on the tank base, such as the groove, so as to vertically fix the electrophoresis device in the electrophoresis tank. The length of the side of the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion that is connected to the two side plates can be less than the length of the side of the two side plates that is connected to the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion. In this way, the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion will not affect, for example, block the connection between the end of the second electrode and the electrode plug guide, and make the tank base "just" able to accommodate any type of electrophoresis core.

[0142] The second electrode, except for one or two ends having the above-mentioned special configuration, can be located at any position of the inner core frame, and is configured so that at least a portion of it contacts the electrophoresis buffer when the electrophoresis buffer is poured into the sealed groove formed by the inner core frame and the gel plate. In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, in some embodiments, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the electrophoresis buffer can be attached to or embedded in the side plate of the frame body opposite to the gel plate at a height slightly lower than the short plate of the gel plate. In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, in some embodiments, the portion of the second electrode that contacts the electrophoresis buffer can be attached to or embedded in the two side plates of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate at the height of the short plate of the gel plate, and span the frame body. Based on this design, the distance between the second electrode and the sample loading hole of the gel is shorter, which can improve the electrophoresis efficiency. In a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the width of the portion of the second electrode that contacts the running buffer is smaller than the width of one or two side plates of the frame body adjacent to the gel plates. This prevents contact between the electrode and the gel plates or gel replacement plate, reducing collision damage to the electrode.

[0143] The first electrode in the present application can be a positive electrode, which can be made of a stainless steel material with an inert conductive metal (such as gold, platinum, iridium, tantalum) coated on the surface. The second electrode can be a negative electrode, which can be made of stainless steel. Replacing platinum wire with stainless steel can enhance the strength of the electrode, extend its service life, and reduce costs. When the electrode is attached to or embedded in the electrophoresis core and the tank base, the stainless steel electrode can enhance the structural strength and stability of the electrophoresis core and the tank base.

[0144] The present application also provides a vertical electrophoresis device comprising two tanks. The structure of the vertical electrophoresis device is basically the same as that of the single tank electrophoresis device, except that the tank base comprises two tank bodies and the arrangement of the electrode plug and the electrode plug guide is different.

[0145] In a vertical electrophoresis apparatus, the tank base may include a first tank body and a second tank body that are separated. The first tank body and the second tank body may both be substantially rectangular parallelepipeds. The first tank body and the second tank body may be arranged with their long sides facing each other and their short sides aligned, and may share a common side panel. The first electrode plug and the second electrode plug may be respectively disposed at the top ends of the side panel shared by the first and second tank bodies. The electrode plug guide may be disposed at the top of the shared side panel or a side panel adjacent to the side panel and protruding into the interior of the first and second tank bodies. The first electrode may be configured such that at least a portion of it contacts the electrophoresis buffer to be added to the first tank body, and at least a portion of it contacts the electrophoresis buffer to be added to the second tank body.

[0146] The vertical electrophoresis device may include a) one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, each detachable electrophoresis core in each group of detachable electrophoresis cores can be configured to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate; b) one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, each detachable electrophoresis core in each group is configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate; or c) two or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, each detachable electrophoresis core in one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores is configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and a gel replacement plate, and each detachable electrophoresis core in one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores is configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate.

[0147] In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, one end portion of the second electrode may be configured to extend outwardly from a side plate adjacent to the gel plate in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body of the core frame in a direction perpendicular to the side plate and then bend to form a "∟" shape, or to extend outwardly and then bend to extend in both directions to form a "T" shape. In particular, in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate two gel plates, or a gel plate and a gel replacement plate, the two ends of the second electrode may be configured to extend outwardly from two side plates adjacent to the gel plate in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction perpendicular to the two side plates and then bend to form a "∟" shape, or to extend outwardly and then bend to extend in both directions to form a "T" shape, in a centrosymmetrical manner relative to the center of the top surface of the frame body. When the endpoint of the second electrode extends in a "∟" shape, during preparation of the electrophoresis device, care must be taken to ensure that the bending direction matches the configuration of the electrode plug guide to prevent the endpoint from being unable to connect with the electrode plug guide. When one end of the second electrode extends outward in a "T" shape, care must be taken to ensure that the electrophoresis core is installed in the correct direction to ensure connection with the electrode plug guide. When both ends extend outward in a "T" shape with central symmetry, there is no need for judgment during preparation and installation, allowing for easy, "fool-proof" assembly.

[0148] For a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the two ends of the second electrode can be extended outward from the side panel opposite the gel plate in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body, in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate and perpendicular to the gel plate. Specifically, for a removable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, the two ends of the second electrode can be extended outward from the side panel opposite the gel plate in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body, in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate and perpendicular to the gel plate, in a direction parallel to the side panel. Only with a mirror-symmetrical design can the electrophoresis core be connected to the electrode plug guide while in both the first and second troughs.

[0149] Next, the specific implementation of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 .

[0150] FIG1 shows an embodiment of a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be assembled with two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate. FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of the detachable electrophoresis core after being assembled into a gel plate.

[0151] Specifically, the electrophoresis inner core frame 2 includes a second electrode 1, and the two ends 3 and 4 of the second electrode 1 are arranged in a left-right symmetrical manner. The second electrode 1 (i.e., the negative electrode) is integrated into the inner core frame 2 by means of overmolding or interlocking installation, and is connected to the electrophoresis buffer solution in the electrophoresis inner tank 11 by exposing the inner side of the electrophoresis inner core frame 2 by opening the glue or half-encapsulating the glue. The second electrode 1 can be made of stainless steel, including but not limited to 204, 304, 314, or 316, etc., and processed into a "π" shape. In this way, the use of precious metals such as platinum and gold can be avoided, which not only reduces production costs but also enhances the structural strength of the inner core frame. The inner wall of the inner core frame is provided with a U-shaped beam frame, and a single-stage or multi-stage U-shaped groove or semicircular groove 5 is opened on one side to facilitate the installation of a sealing strip 6, such as a flexible silicone or foam sealing strip.

[0152] During electrophoresis, a gel plate consisting of a short plate 8, a long plate 9, and the gel 10 between the two plates is taken, the comb on the gel is removed, and the bottom or side tape is torn off. While ensuring that the short plate 8 faces the electrophoresis inner tank 11, it is inserted into the electrophoresis inner core. The gel plate is then pressed directly against the sealing strip 6 using a gel plate fastener 7, such as a cam shaft, or by using an additional plate-like or frame-mounted structure to press the gel plate against the sealing strip 6, thereby forming a sealed upper-opening electrophoresis inner tank 11. After assembly is complete, electrophoresis buffer is poured into the electrophoresis inner tank 11, and the upper portion of the gel is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply via the electrophoresis buffer.

[0153] FIG3 shows an embodiment of the detachable electrophoresis core of the present application that is configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, and FIG4 shows a schematic diagram of the detachable electrophoresis core after being assembled into a gel plate.

[0154] Specifically, a symmetrical design is adopted, and the second electrode (i.e., the negative electrode) is integrated into the inner core frame 13 by means of overmolding or interlocking assembly, with its two ends 15 and 16 exposed, and the second electrode is in electrical communication with the electrophoresis buffer in the electrophoresis inner tank 21. Single-stage or multi-stage U-shaped grooves or semicircular grooves are opened on both sides of the inner core frame 13 to facilitate the installation of sealing strips 17, such as flexible silicone or foam sealing strips. The inner core frame 13 also includes a gel plate or gel replacement plate fastener 14, such as a C-shaped clip connected to the inner core frame 13 by a bottom hinge, and the C-shaped clip can rotate around the hinge axis within the range of 0 to 210 degrees.

[0155] During electrophoresis, take a gel slab consisting of a short plate 18, a long plate 19, and the gel 20 between the two plates, remove the comb on the gel, and tear off the bottom or side tape. While ensuring that the short plate 18 faces the electrophoresis inner tank 21, insert it into the electrophoresis inner core. Using a gel slab fastener 14, such as a C-shaped clip, directly press the gel slab against the sealing strip 17. Similarly, insert another gel slab, or a corresponding gel replacement plate, into the electrophoresis inner core to form a sealed, top-open electrophoresis inner tank 21. The gel replacement plate has the same thickness as the gel slab to ensure the C-shaped clip functions properly, and the height of the gel replacement plate is no less than that of the gel slab. After assembly, pour electrophoresis buffer into the electrophoresis inner tank 21. The upper portion of the gel will be electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply via the electrophoresis buffer.

[0156] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the electrophoresis tank of the present application. Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the electrophoresis tank after being assembled with a detachable electrophoresis inner core.

[0157] Specifically, the electrophoresis tank base 25 features a compartmentalized design, with an integrated crosspiece (i.e., a shared side panel 29 for both chambers) dividing the tank base into two independent internal chambers: a first tank body 27 and a second tank body 28. One side of the tank base houses the negative electrode spring, namely the electrode plug guide 23, and the second electrode plug 26; the other side houses the first electrode 24 (i.e., the positive electrode) and the first electrode plug 30. The electrode plug guide 23 is elevated to prevent accidental contact with the electrophoresis buffer in the outer tank. The positive electrode material is made of metal (including but not limited to stainless steel, or copper, iron, titanium, or other metals or their alloys) that has been surface-treated (including but not limited to electroplating, spraying, etc.) with an inert conductive metal (including but not limited to gold, platinum, iridium, tantalum, etc.), rather than platinum wire. This effectively reduces positive electrode wear while providing excellent mechanical properties, significantly simplifying production and assembly, and reducing the risk of accidental wire breakage during use. The positive electrode utilizes a Z-shaped structure, with the conductive portion extending deep into the bottom of the tank base. The first electrode 24 is connected to a first electrode plug 30 , and the electrode plug guide 23 is connected to a second electrode plug 26 .

[0158] During electrophoresis, the detachable electrophoresis core is assembled into the tank base 25, and the second electrode on the detachable electrophoresis core is connected to the electrode plug guide 23 via one of the two ends 3 and 4, or one of 15 and 16. In a tank base with a dual-slot design, as shown in FIG6 , the detachable electrophoresis core is assembled into the first tank body 27 and / or the second tank body 28, and the second electrode on the detachable electrophoresis core is connected to the electrode plug guide 23 via one of the two ends 3 and 4, or one of 15 and 16. The upper cover of the electrophoresis tank is closed, so that the first electrode plug 30 and the second electrode plug 26 are connected to the first power interface and the second power interface on the upper cover, respectively. The power interface can be connected to the electrophoresis instrument via a cable.

[0159] The symmetrical ends 3 and 4 of the second electrode ensure that the electrophoresis core remains connected to the negative electrode regardless of its orientation. This design eliminates the need for users to consider the orientation of the electrode core, fundamentally preventing reverse electrode connection errors without requiring additional foolproofing. Similarly, the symmetrical ends 15 and 16 of the second electrode ensure that the electrophoresis core remains connected to the negative electrode regardless of its orientation.

[0160] As previously mentioned, the electrophoresis tank of this application is compatible with both Mini and Midi electrophoresis cores. As shown in Figure 7, in a dual-tank electrophoresis tank, it can support the electrophoresis of 1-2 Midi gels independently or simultaneously, without affecting each other; support the electrophoresis of 1-4 Mini gels independently or simultaneously, without affecting each other; or support the electrophoresis of 1 Midi gel and 1-2 Mini gels simultaneously, without affecting each other.

[0161] After the detachable electrophoresis inner core is assembled as needed, an electrophoresis outer tank 12 is formed between the tank base and the electrophoresis inner core. Electrophoresis buffer is injected into the electrophoresis inner tank and the electrophoresis outer tank respectively. The electrophoresis inner tank needs to be filled with electrophoresis buffer to ensure that the buffer is in full contact with the upper end of the gel. The electrophoresis outer tank can be injected to about 2 / 3 of the height of the gel plate to ensure a good heat dissipation effect, but it cannot be at the same height as the electrophoresis liquid level in the electrophoresis inner tank to avoid short circuit between the inner and outer tanks. The second electrode is connected to the electrode plug guide 23 via the end 3 / 4 or 15 / 16, connecting the negative pole of the power supply with the electrophoresis buffer in the electrophoresis inner tank. The electrophoresis buffer in the electrophoresis outer tank is connected to the positive pole power supply through the first electrode 24 in the tank base. At this point, the upper and lower ends of the gel are connected to the negative pole and positive pole of the power supply through the electrophoresis buffer in the electrophoresis inner and outer tanks, respectively, forming a voltage difference, driving the nucleic acid or protein molecules to migrate in the gel.

[0162] In summary, the vertical electrophoresis device of the present application has the following advantages: i) the tank base is designed with a separate partition to form two independent outer tanks that do not affect each other, which can be used independently or simultaneously, ensuring heat dissipation and effectively reducing the amount of electrophoresis buffer used; ii) the negative electrode and the positive electrode are respectively integrated on the electrophoresis core and the tank base, so that the two electrophoresis units are completely independent and do not affect each other; iii) the electrodes on the mini and midi electrophoresis cores are designed symmetrically to achieve a unified size and electrode interface; with the uniquely designed power-on device, the electrophoresis core can be placed at will, which greatly facilitates user operation and fundamentally eliminates the risk of electrode reversal; iv) it is compatible with both mini and midi sizes of gels, and supports mixed mode to achieve The mixed use mode of midi and mini can support the simultaneous electrophoresis of up to 4 mini gels, lowering the threshold for using midi gels while improving electrophoresis efficiency; v) The electrophoresis core adopts a metal-coated design, which not only increases the structural strength, but also shortens the distance between the electrode and the sample loading hole, improving electrophoresis efficiency; vi) For the first time, titanium alloy electroplating / spraying inert metal is used in the electrophoresis tank to replace platinum wire electrodes, increasing electrode strength and service life; vii) The internal and external cavity structures of the electrophoresis tank are optimized to effectively control the amount of buffer used while ensuring independent use. The amount used for a single midi is about 500mL, and the amount used for a single mini is about 250mL (under the condition of simultaneous electrophoresis of two slices), and effective heat dissipation during the electrophoresis process is guaranteed.

[0163] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with one or more embodiments, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to these embodiments. The description in this application is intended to cover all variants and equivalents, all of which are included in the subject matter and scope of the appended claims. All documents cited in this article are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A vertical electrophoresis device, comprising: i) an electrophoresis tank, comprising a tank base and an upper cover, wherein the tank base comprises a first electrode, a first electrode plug, a second electrode plug, and an electrode plug guide; and ii) one or more detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each group of detachable electrophoresis cores comprises one or more detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each detachable electrophoresis core comprises a core frame and a second electrode, wherein the core frame is configured to be able to assemble a gel plate or a gel replacement plate, The first electrode is configured to be connected to the first electrode plug and can be electrically connected to the first electrode plug, The second electrode is configured to be electrically connected to the electrode plug guide, and the electrode plug guide is configured to be connected to the second electrode plug and can be electrically connected to the second electrode plug. The detachable electrophoresis core is configured to be able to be vertically fixed in the electrophoresis tank.

2. The vertical electrophoresis device as claimed in claim 1, comprising more than two groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein the sizes of gel plates or gel replacement plates that can be assembled with each group of detachable electrophoresis cores are different.

3. The vertical electrophoresis device according to claim 2, wherein the inner core frame of each detachable electrophoresis inner core comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame body, Each of the plurality of removable electrophoresis cores is configured to be able to mount two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, on opposite sides of the frame body. Each of the more than one set of detachable electrophoresis cores is configured to be able to mount only one gel plate on the frame body.

4. The vertical electrophoresis device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tank base is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, comprising a bottom plate and four side plates, the first electrode plug and the second electrode plug are respectively arranged at two top ends of a side plate comprising a long side of the tank base, and the electrode plug guide is arranged at the top of the same side plate or a side plate adjacent to the side plate and close to the second electrode plug and protrudes into the tank base, In the detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, one end of the second electrode is configured to extend outward from a side plate adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction perpendicular to the side plate and extend after bending to present a "∟" shape, or extend outward and extend in two directions after bending to present a "T" shape, In the detachable electrophoresis core configured to accommodate only one gel plate, one end of the second electrode extends outwardly from the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the side plate.

5. The vertical electrophoresis device as claimed in claim 4, wherein in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, two ends of the second electrode extend outward from two side plates adjacent to the gel plates to be assembled in a direction perpendicular to the two side plates on the top surface of the frame body in a centrally symmetrical manner relative to the center of the top surface of the frame body in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body and extend after bending to present a "∟" shape, or extend outward and extend in two directions after bending to present a "T" shape, In the detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, the two ends of the second electrode extend outward from the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate to be assembled and perpendicular to the gel plate to be assembled, in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the side plate.

6. The vertical electrophoresis device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tank base is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, comprising a bottom plate and four side plates, the first electrode plug and the second electrode plug are respectively arranged at the top center of the two side plates including the short sides of the tank base, and the electrode plug guide is arranged on the top of the side plate where the second electrode plug is arranged and protrudes toward the inside of the tank base, Each detachable electrophoresis core comprises a substantially rectangular frame body, and one end of the second electrode extends outwardly from a side plate adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plate to be assembled.

7. A vertical electrophoresis device as described in claim 6, wherein the two ends of the second electrode in each detachable electrophoresis core extend outward from two side plates adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a centrally symmetrical manner relative to the center of the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plate to be assembled.

8. The vertical electrophoresis device according to claim 1, wherein the tank base comprises a first tank body and a second tank body separated from each other, the first tank body and the second tank body are both substantially rectangular parallelepiped, the first tank body and the second tank body are arranged with their long sides facing each other and their short sides in a line, and share a side plate, The first electrode plug and the second electrode plug are respectively arranged at two top ends of a side plate shared by the first tank body and the second tank body, and the electrode plug guide is arranged at the top of the shared side plate or a side plate adjacent to the side plate and close to the second electrode plug and protrudes into the first tank body and the second tank body. The first electrode is configured to at least partially contact the electrophoresis buffer to be added to the first tank, and at least partially contact the electrophoresis buffer to be added to the second tank.

9. The vertical electrophoresis device according to claim 8, wherein the inner core frame of each detachable electrophoresis inner core comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame body, The vertical electrophoresis device comprises a) one or more sets of detachable electrophoresis cores, each detachable electrophoresis core in each set of detachable electrophoresis cores being configured to be able to mount two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, on opposite sides of the frame body; b) more than one set of detachable electrophoresis cores, each detachable electrophoresis core in each set being configured to fit only one gel plate; or c) two or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores, wherein each detachable electrophoresis core in one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores is configured to be able to mount two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, and each detachable electrophoresis core in one or more groups of detachable electrophoresis cores is configured to be able to mount only one gel plate, In the detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, one end of the second electrode extends outward from a side plate adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction and is bent in a direction perpendicular to the side plate on the top surface of the frame body to present a "∟" shape, or extends outward and extends in two directions after being bent to present a "T" shape, In the detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, one end of the second electrode extends outward in a horizontal direction from the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled in a direction parallel to the side plate on the top surface of the frame body.

10. The vertical electrophoresis device as claimed in claim 9, wherein in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, two ends of the second electrode, relative to the center of the top surface of the frame body, extend outwards from two side plates adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a direction perpendicular to the two side plates on the top surface of the frame body in a centrally symmetrical manner, and then bend to extend in a "∟" shape, or extend outwards and bend to extend in two directions to present a "T" shape. In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, the two ends of the second electrode extend outward from the side plate opposite to the gel plate to be assembled in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to a plane passing through the midpoint of the top edge of the gel plate to be assembled and perpendicular to the gel plate, in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the side plate.

11. The vertical electrophoresis device according to claim 4 or 9, wherein in a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to mount two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, the core frame further comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending outwardly from two side plates of the frame body in a horizontal direction in a direction parallel to the gel plate to be mounted on the top surface of the frame body, wherein the end of the second electrode extending outwardly from the side plate is arranged on the first protrusion and configured to protrude outwardly from the first protrusion; In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, the core frame further includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending outwardly from two side plates of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plate to be assembled, wherein the lengths of the sides of the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion connected to the two side plates are less than the lengths of the sides of the two side plates connected to the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion.

12. The vertical electrophoresis device according to claim 5 or 10, wherein in a detachable electrophoresis inner core configured to be able to assemble two gel plates, or one gel plate and one gel replacement plate, the inner core frame further comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending outwardly from two side plates of the frame body in a horizontal direction in a direction parallel to the gel plate to be assembled on the top surface of the frame body, wherein two ends of the second electrode are respectively arranged on the first protrusion and the second protrusion and configured to protrude outwardly from the first protrusion and the second protrusion; In a detachable electrophoresis core configured to be able to assemble only one gel plate, the core frame further includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending outwardly from two side plates of the frame body adjacent to the gel plate to be assembled in a horizontal direction on the top surface of the frame body in a direction parallel to the gel plate to be assembled, wherein the lengths of the sides of the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion connected to the two side plates are less than the lengths of the sides of the two side plates connected to the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion. 13 . The vertical electrophoresis device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the upper cover comprises a first power interface and a second power interface, which are respectively configured to be electrically connected to the first electrode plug and the second electrode plug.

14. The vertical electrophoresis device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electric cable and a power supply for the electrophoresis apparatus.

15. A method for performing vertical electrophoresis on a sample, comprising: i) providing a vertical electrophoresis device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, ii) selecting a detachable electrophoresis inner core, and a corresponding gel plate, or a gel plate and a replacement plate, and assembling the gel plate, or the gel plate and the replacement plate onto the inner core frame of the detachable electrophoresis inner core to form an electrophoresis inner tank with an upper opening, iii) assembling the detachable electrophoresis inner core of step ii) into the tank base of the electrophoresis tank, and pouring an appropriate amount of electrophoresis buffer into the electrophoresis inner tank and the tank base, iv) adding the sample to be tested to the gel plate, and v) Close the top cover of the electrophoresis tank, connect the power supply, and perform electrophoresis.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the tank base of the vertical electrophoresis device provided in step i) comprises a first tank body and a second tank body separated from each other, and step iii) comprises assembling the detachable electrophoresis core of step ii) into the first tank body and / or the second tank body of the electrophoresis tank, and pouring an appropriate amount of electrophoresis buffer into the electrophoresis tank and the first tank body and / or the second tank body equipped with the detachable electrophoresis core. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sample comprises a nucleic acid molecule or a protein molecule.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein: Step ii) Take one or two detachable electrophoresis cores.

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