Multi-Blot Western Device

描述（由申请人提供）：本STTR项目的长期目标是将蛋白质多印迹Western blot设备商业化，这有助于提高传统Western blot分析的生产率和准确性。尽管Western blotting已经使用了30多年，但对于大多数生命科学家来说，这种耗费人力和成本的技术仍然是一种关键的常规方法。为了改进Western blot分析，已经发布了新的产品，用于快速抗体反应，通过成像和软件进行更好的定量，以及全自动毛细管电泳。然而，很少有产品直接针对改进传统的印迹过程，这仍然被广泛使用。在这个项目中，YC Bioelectric, LLC （YCB）提出开发一种新型的多印迹Western设备，该设备可以从单个电泳凝胶中复制不同大小的蛋白质物种。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，以便无论蛋白质大小如何都能实现均匀的蛋白质转移速度。印第安纳大学进行了一项初步研究，结果表明，从一种凝胶制成的5-7种膜中，每一种都可以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目前拥有印第安纳大学研究与技术商业化的独家许可。YCB和印第安纳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。假设使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：制作精制的印迹硬件；目标2：实施加强的管制系统；修订后的提案包括开发一种新型的一键操作成像印迹控制子系统，并包含一个预测软件工具。此外，在上一篇综述中提出了电压梯度、阳极材料、质量控制和凝胶处理等四个技术弱点的解决方案。根据其市场分析，YCB预计其生命科学实验室的目标客户将会欣赏所提出的multi-blot Western设备，因为它能够节省成本、时间和样品，并且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.