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重印迹Western设备商业化，这有助于提高传统Western印迹分析的生产率和准确性。尽管西方印迹技术已经使用了30多年，但这项耗费人力和成本的技术仍然是大多数生命科学家的关键程序。为了改进蛋白质印迹分析，已经发布了用于快速抗体反应、通过成像和软件进行更好的定量以及用于完全自动化的毛细管电泳法的新产品。然而，很少有产品是直接针对改进仍在广泛使用的传统印花工艺的。在这个项目中，YC BioElectric，LLC(YCB)建议开发一种新型的多杂交Western设备，该设备可以从一个电泳胶中复制不同大小的多个蛋白质物种。在该装置中，蛋白质传输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传输速度。印第安纳大学进行了一项初步研究，结果表明，从由单一凝胶制成的5-7个膜中的每一个膜中都可以检测到不同水平的蛋白质。YCB成立于2012年6月，旨在生产一种适销对路的多印迹西方设备产品。YCB目前拥有从印第安纳大学研究和技术商业化获得独家许可的选择权。YCB和印第安纳大学提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蛋白质印迹分析的准确性，而且显著降低了成本和人力。这一假设将通过以下具体目标进行检验：目标1：制造改进的印迹硬件；目标2：实施增强的控制系统；目标3：开发预测软件工具。经修订的提案包括开发一种新型的一键操作的基于成像的印迹控制子系统，并纳入预测软件工具。此外，对上一次综述中关于电压梯度、阳极材料、质量控制和凝胶处理的四个技术缺陷提出了解决方案。根据其市场分析，YCB预计其生命科学实验室的目标客户将欣赏建议的多点杂交西方设备，因为它具有节省成本、时间和样本的能力，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.