Multi-Blot Western Device

描述（由申请人提供）：该STTR项目的长期目标是将蛋白质多印迹Western设备商业化，这有助于提高常规Western印迹分析的生产率和准确性。虽然Western印迹法已经使用了三十多年，但这种对劳动力和成本要求很高的技术仍然是大多数生命科学家的关键常规。为了改进Western印迹分析，已经发布了用于快速抗体反应、通过成像和软件更好地定量以及用于完全自动化的毛细管电泳的新产品。然而，很少有产品是直接针对改善传统的印迹方法，这仍然是广泛使用的。在该项目中，YC Bioelectric，LLC（YCB）提出开发一种新型的多印迹Western设备，该设备能够从单个电泳凝胶中获得不同大小的蛋白质种类的多个拷贝。在该装置中，蛋白质转移单元利用多个阳极来产生不均匀的电压分布，以便能够实现均匀的蛋白质转移速度，而不管蛋白质大小。在印第安纳州大学进行了初步研究，结果表明，从由单一凝胶制成的5-7个膜中的每一个中可检测到不同蛋白质的表达水平。YCB成立于2012年6月，生产可销售的多印迹Western设备产品。YCB目前拥有从印第安纳州大学研究和技术商业化获得独家许可的选择权。YCB和印第安纳州大学建议将目前的概念验证调查扩展到全面的可行性研究。假设利用多阳极板的多重印迹不仅提高了Western印迹分析的准确性，而且显著降低了成本和劳动力。该假设将通过以下具体目标进行测试：目标1：精制印迹硬件的制造;目标2：增强控制系统的实现;目标3：预测软件工具的开发修订后的提案包括开发一种新型的基于一键操作的成像印迹控制子系统，并包括预测软件工具。此外，四个技术弱点的解决方案，在过去的审查有关的电压梯度，阳极材料，质量控制，和凝胶处理，提出。根据其市场分析，YCB预计其生命科学实验室的目标客户将欣赏拟议的多印迹Western设备，因为它能够节省成本，时间和样品，并具有用户友好的预测软件工具。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term objective of this STTR project is to commercialize the protein multi-blot Western device, which contributes to improving the productivity and accuracy of conventional Western blot analysis. Although Western blotting has been used for more than three decades, this labor-and-cost demanding technique remains a key routine for a majority of life scientists. To improve Western blot analysis, new products for quick antibody reactions, better quantitation through imaging and software, and capillary electrophoresis for fully automation have been released. However, few products are directly targeted to improve a traditional blotting process which is still widely used. In this project, YC Bioelectric, LLC (YCB) proposes to develop a novel multi-blot Western device, which enables multiple copies of protein species of varying sizes from a single electrophoretic gel. In this device, a protein transfer unit utilizes multiple anodes to generate a non-uniform voltage profile in order to enable uniform protein transfer speed regardless of protein size. A preliminary study was conducted at Indiana University, and results show that the expression levels different proteins are detectable from each of 5-7 membranes made from a single gel. YCB was founded in June 2012 to manufacture a marketable multi-blot Western device product. YCB currently holds an option to take an exclusive license from the Indiana University Research and Technology Commercialization. YCB and Indiana University propose to extend the current proof-of-concept investigation to a full feasibility study. The hypothesis is that multi-blotting utilizing a multi-anode plate not only enhances accuracy of Western blot analysis but also significantly reduces cost and labor. The hypothesis will be tested with the following specific aims: Aim 1: Fabrication of the refined blotting hardware; Aim 2: Implementation of the enhanced control system; Aim 3: Development of a predictive software tool The revised proposal includes the development of a novel one button operated imaging based blotting control subsystem and an inclusion of a predictive software tool. Furthermore, solutions to four technical weaknesses in the last review regarding a voltage gradient, anode materials, quality control, and gel handling, are presented. According to its market analysis, YCB expects that its target customers in life science labs will appreciate the proposed multi-blot Western device because of its capability of saving costs, time, and samples with a user-friendly predictive software tool.