Multiplexing Electrophoretic Gel Apparatus for High-Throughput Protein Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional western blotting systems face challenges such as long run times, limited high lysate numbers, and the need for large sample volumes, making them inefficient and costly, especially for smaller laboratories.
Innovation Solution
A high-throughput multiplexing electrophoretic gel apparatus is developed, featuring a gel casting device with protrusions that form sample loading wells after polymerization, allowing for sequential auto-loading of small sample volumes and enabling horizontal electrophoresis separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional western blotting systems are used, then sample analysis can be performed, but run times are long and throughput is low
Solution Approach 1:
The gel casting device is segmented into a base with multiple protrusions that form individual sample loading wells, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple samples in parallel lanes, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining manageable run times
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional vertical gel electrophoresis to horizontal electrophoresis, changing the dimension of separation. This allows multiple samples to be processed simultaneously across horizontal lanes, significantly improving throughput without proportionally increasing run time
2Quantity of substance
If conventional western blotting systems are used, then protein separation can be achieved, but large sample volumes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions on the base create localized concentrated wells for sample loading, ensuring that each sample is confined to a small volume region. This allows efficient use of minimal sample volumes while maintaining the ability to process many samples through multiplexing
Solution Approach 2:
The gel is pre-cast with defined wells formed by protrusions before sample loading. This preliminary structuring ensures optimal sample volume utilization and enables high-throughput processing without requiring large sample volumes for each well
3Productivity
If high-throughput systems are used, then processing capacity increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gel casting device with removable base and protrusions is a universal platform that can process varying numbers of samples simultaneously. The same basic apparatus handles different throughput requirements by adjusting the number of lanes used, avoiding the need for multiple specialized systems and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration of the number of active lanes based on experimental needs. The removable base with multiple protrusions enables flexible adjustment of throughput capacity without changing the fundamental device structure, maintaining simplicity while accommodating high-throughput requirements
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
The system achieves efficient and robust electrophoresis with the ability to process multiple samples simultaneously, reducing run times and sample volume requirements, thus enhancing throughput and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sample loading wells is formed within the polymerized gel
Implementation Method 2
an electric field is applied to the buffer solution so that an electric current passes through the buffer solution, and the sample-loaded polymerized gel
Data Source
AI summary
A high-throughput multiplexing electrophoretic gel system is disclosed. The system includes a gel casting device which includes an interior, gel casting chamber by which a polymerized gel layer is formed. The polymerized gel layer includes a plurality of integrally formed sample loading wells. The wells are aligned to be simultaneously loaded with samples via an automated microliter multi-pipette sample loader. The sample-loaded gel layer is adapted to undergo immersed horizontal electrophoresis protein separation.