Intragel Microgel Wells for Precise Low-Volume Protein Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gel electrophoresis methods face issues with sample mixing errors and pipetting inaccuracies, particularly at low volumes, due to the immersion of samples in buffer solution and the uncontrollable behavior of small volumes when contacting the buffer.
Innovation Solution
A protein separation microgel system with collinear wells and a dual-electrode configuration for precise sample loading and separation, utilizing orthogonal and parallel electric fields to load and separate proteins within the gel without direct contact with buffer solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If samples are administered to the border of a gel in contact with buffer solution (standard top-loading format), then sample loading is simple and direct, but mixing errors and pipetting precision errors occur, especially at low volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sample from the buffer solution environment by creating wells within the gel matrix itself. The gel is cast with recessed wells that contain the sample, removing it from contact with the buffer solution. This eliminates the mixing errors and pipetting precision errors that occur when samples are administered at the gel-buffer interface, while maintaining simple loading procedures.
2Ease of operation
If hand-held pipettors are used for sample administration, then sample loading is straightforward, but accuracy deteriorates at low volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical pipetting system with an electrokinetic loading system. Electric fields are applied to drive samples into the gel wells, substituting the mechanical pipettor with an electrical field-based transport mechanism. This provides superior accuracy at low volumes while maintaining operational simplicity, as the electric field can precisely control sample migration without the limitations of manual pipetting.
3Ease of operation
If samples are administered at the gel edge in buffer solution, then loading process is simple, but sample behavior becomes uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sample from the uncontrollable buffer solution environment at the gel edge and places it within the controlled gel matrix. The wells are formed directly in the gel, removing samples from the buffer interface where uncontrollable behavior occurs. This maintains simple loading procedures while providing reliable, controlled sample behavior within the gel structure.
4Ease of operation
If standard top-loading gel format is used, then sample administration is direct, but mixing errors occur due to buffer solution contact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces the gel well structure as an intermediary between the sample and the buffer solution. Instead of direct sample administration to the gel edge in buffer, samples are loaded into the well-formed recesses within the gel matrix. This intermediary structure eliminates mixing errors by containing the sample within the gel, while maintaining direct and simple administration procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and controlled separation of proteins at low volumes by minimizing mixing errors and improving precision, allowing for efficient protein separation using microgels with collinear wells and a dual-electrode system.
Implementation Method 1
Gel electrophoresis is universally performed by administering sample to the border of a gel in contact with buffer solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a protein separation microgel having a first plate having a first opening; a second plate; a gel substrate formed between the first plate and the second plate; and a plurality of wells positioned at a first non-zero distance from a first edge of the gel and at a second non-zero distance from a second edge of the gel; wherein the first and second edge of the gel are opposite edges of the gel.