WO2000068677A1 - Gel electrophoresis - Google Patents
Gel electrophoresis Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000068677A1 WO2000068677A1 PCT/GB2000/001739 GB0001739W WO0068677A1 WO 2000068677 A1 WO2000068677 A1 WO 2000068677A1 GB 0001739 W GB0001739 W GB 0001739W WO 0068677 A1 WO0068677 A1 WO 0068677A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- electrode
- base
- electrophoresis unit
- lid
- electrophoresis
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/26—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electrochemical variables; by using electrolysis or electrophoresis
- G01N27/416—Systems
- G01N27/447—Systems using electrophoresis
- G01N27/44704—Details; Accessories
Definitions
- the first aspect of the present invention relates to an electrophoresis unit wherein one of the electrodes of the unit is attached to the lid.
- the second aspect of the present invention relates to an electrode support for use in an electrophoresis unit.
- the third aspect of the present invention relates to an electrophoresis unit comprising a plate for receiving a gel-matrix which is resiliently mounted within a base of the electrophoresis unit.
- the present invention also provides a frame for stacking two or more electrophoresis units wherein the frame provides power to each electrophoresis unit from a single power source.
- Electrophoresis of charged molecules, for example, DNA and R A fragments using a gel-matrix of, for example, agarose or acrylamide is well known to those skilled in the art.
- Electrophoresis units generally comprise a base portion for containing the gel- matrix, a pair of electrodes attached to opposite walls of the base and a lid.
- the electrodes are connected to a power source and are positioned so that an electrophoresis voltage is formed across the gel-matrix provided both electrodes are in contact with each other via an electrically conductive substance.
- the electrically conductive substance is a liquid buffer. When a liquid buffer is used, the electrophoresis is said to be wet electrophoresis.
- the electrophoresis voltage formed across the gel-matrix leads to separation of the charged molecules within the gel-matrix.
- the electrophoresis is said to be semi-dry electrophoresis or buffer-less electrophoresis.
- the electrodes of the electrophoresis unit can contact opposite ends of the gel-matrix directly or via a buffer soaked sponge, thereby forming an electrophoresis voltage across the gel- matrix.
- electrophoresis units have been constructed whereby in normal use the electrodes which are present on the base unit can only be connected to the power source when the lid of the unit is in place. Unfortunately, it has been found that it is easily possible to bypass the safety features of such units and directly connect the electrodes in the base to the power source without the lid being connected to the base or with a broken lid being connected to the base. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an electrophoresis unit which reduces the risk of electrocution to the operator.
- Electrodes of electrophoresis units generally take the form of an electrically conducting wire attached via its ends to a wall of the electrophoresis unit. Unfortunately, with use, the wire sags, becomes brittle and can easily be broken. There is therefore a need to provide an electrode which maintains substantially the same shape and has increased strength compared to the prior art electrodes. Electrodes for use in semi-dry electrophoresis contact the gel-matrix directly or via a buffer soaked sponge and it is therefore particularly important that the electrodes maintain substantially the same shape even after repeated and long term usage.
- semi-dry electrophoresis units require contact between the electrodes and the gel-matrix either directly or via a buffer soaked sponge.
- the electrodes are simply rested on the surface of the gel- matrix or on a wet strip of sponge which contacts the gel-matrix.
- a problem with using wet strips of sponge is that they need to be kept wet but not so wet that the samples in the gel are diluted.
- the connection between the gel-matrix and the electrode can vary along the length of the electrode. In some situations the electrode will only contact the gel-matrix or buffer soaked sponge at isolated points. This will produce an uneven electrical field across the gel-matrix which will cause problems with the electrophoretic separation of the charged molecules. It is therefore desirable to improve the contact between the electrode and the gel-matrix.
- Electrophoresis units are frequently used in fast, high throughput applications. In such applications, it is desirable to have means of running several units simultaneously which helps to organise batch processing of the samples. There is therefore a need for providing a system enabling several electrophoresis units to be run simultaneously. The running of several electrophoresis units also leads to difficulty with limited bench space.
- the present invention provides an electrophoresis unit comprising a lid, a base for receiving a gel-matrix and a pair of electrodes which can be connected to a power source, wherein the first electrode is attached to the base and the second electrode is attached to the lid, and wherein when the lid is connected to the base, the electrodes are positioned so that a current can pass through the gel-matrix.
- the electrophoresis unit according to the first aspect of the present invention therefore reduces the risk of the electrocution to the operator of the unit.
- the electrodes of the electrophoresis unit according to the first aspect of the present invention are connected to the power source by terminals on the base of the unit, and the electrode attached to the lid is connected to a terminal on the base by an electrical connection formed between the base and the lid when the lid is connected to the base.
- the risk of electrocution from contact with the electrode on the lid is removed because the electrode will only be electrically charged when the lid is connected to the base.
- the electrodes are connected to the power source by terminals formed on the lid, wherein the electrode attached to the base is connected to a terminal on the lid by an electrical connection between the base and the lid.
- the electrical connections used to connect the lid to the base are of a different size compared to the electrical connections used to connect the power source to the terminals.
- the electrical connection formed between the lid and the base comprises one or more plug-socket connections.
- the electrophoresis unit may be an electrophoresis unit for performing wet or semi- dry electrophoresis.
- the base and lid of the electrophoresis unit can be constructed from any suitable electrically inert material, especially plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is particularly preferred that the electrophoresis unit, especially the lid, be constructed from transparent material.
- PVC polyvinyl chloride
- the shape of the base of the electrophoresis unit will depend on the type of electrophoresis being performed. Suitable bases are well known to those skilled in the art.
- the base of the electrophoresis unit is preferably a shallow tray which has a surface for receiving a gel-matrix.
- the electrodes are attached to supports which form part of the base and the lid of the electrophoresis unit.
- Electrode supports are electrically inert supports of material which have an electrode attached to them by any suitable means such as clips or screws.
- the electrode support of the base may be a wall of the base.
- the electrode supports are removable attached to the base and lid so that if an electrode breaks, the electrode can be easily replaced.
- the electrode supports can be removed, a gel-matrix inserted into the base of the unit and the electrode supports then replaced so that they contact a surface of the gel-matrix.
- the electrode can be any electrically conducting material.
- the electrode is a wire or strip of electrically conducting material.
- the electrode is platinum wire.
- an electrode support for use in an electrophoresis unit comprising an electrically inert support having at least three holes wherein an electrode is threaded through the holes.
- the support can be any shape provided it is substantially non-flexible (i.e. rigid) in use.
- the support is a rectangular block.
- the electrode is threaded through the holes so that one face of the support has the electrode continuously present along its face in the region where the holes are formed.
- the electrode is threaded through the holes in the support by backstitching.
- the term "continuously present” as used herein means that the electrode is present on the face of the electrode support without any gaps. Furthermore, the region where the holes are formed is the region comprising the holes extending from the first hole to the last hole formed in the support.
- the face on which the electrode is continuously present is preferably the face of the support which in use faces or contacts the gel-matrix.
- the face on which the electrode is continuously present is a substantially planar face.
- the electrically inert support can be constructed from any suitable material such as PVC.
- the electrically inert support can be an integral part of an electrophoresis unit such as a wall of a base or lid of an electrophoresis unit.
- the support is removably attachable to the base or lid of an electrophoresis unit.
- the electrode is any electrically conducting material which can be threaded through the holes formed in the support.
- the electrode support comprises at least six holes and more preferably at least ten holes through which the electrode is threaded.
- the holes can be formed through the main body of the support or through protrusions formed on the support.
- the electrode By threading the electrode through the holes, the electrode is firmly attached to the support and is supported. Accordingly, the electrode remains in substantially the same position on the support, has increased strength and is therefore less likely to break.
- the electrode support has two fixing terminals which anchor the ends of the electrode to the support.
- the fixing terminals are preferably screws or clips.
- the present invention also provides an electrophoresis unit comprising at least one electrode support according to the second aspect of the present invention.
- the electrophoresis unit comprises two electrode supports according to the second aspect of the present invention.
- the electrophoresis unit comprising at least one electrode support according to the second aspect of the invention can be any wet or semi-dry electrophoresis unit.
- the face of the electrode support having the electrode continuously present along the region of the face comprising the holes, contacts the gel-matrix directly or via a buffer soaked sponge.
- the face contacts the gel-matrix directly.
- the electrode is firmly attached to the face of the electrode support, a better contact is made between the electrode and the gel-matrix or buffer soaked sponge improving the electrophoretic voltage formed across the gel-matrix.
- a semi-dry electrophoresis unit comprising a base, a pair of moveable electrode supports, and a plate for receiving a gel-matrix resiliently mounted in the base and capable of movement relative to the base wherein when the electrodes are urged into contact with a gel-matrix placed on the plate, the plate is moved relative to the base and a firm contact is made.
- the term "firm contact” means that the electrode present on the face of the electrode support that contacts the gel matrix is urged into contact with the gel-matrix so that contact along the length of the electrode on the face of the electrode support is made with the gel-matrix under pressure.
- the contact with the gel-matrix can be made directly or via a buffer soaked sponge.
- the electrode contacts the gel-matrix directly.
- the electrodes contact the gel-matrix directly at opposite ends.
- the gel-matrix is held substantially horizontal in the electrophoresis unit.
- the resiliently mounted plate is preferably mounted on spring means i.e. any resilient elements that allow the base to be resiliently movable relative to the base.
- the resilient elements can be any form of spring such as compression springs or even resilient rubber material such as rubber blocks or tubes which give the desired resilience.
- the spring means are elastic rubber tubes. The desired resilience leads to the electrodes contacting the gel-matrix under pressure leading to a firm contact, wherein the pressure is not so great as to break the gel-matrix or to squeeze buffer out of the buffer soaked sponge.
- the plate is slightly smaller than the base and can therefore be housed within the base.
- a lid is fixed to the base of the electrophoresis unit. It is further preferred that the lid urges the electrode supports onto the gel-matrix so that when the lid is connected to the base, the electrodes exert a pressure on the gel-matrix leading to a firm contact.
- a frame for stacking two or more electrophoresis units wherein the frame is connected to a single power supply and has a set of connections for each electrophoresis unit to be stacked in the frame, wherein these connections are arranged in a parallel electrical circuit.
- the frame therefore provides a power supply to two or more electrophoresis units which may be stacked therein.
- the frame comprises a number of shelves for stacking each electrophoresis unit, wherein on placing the electrophoresis unit on the shelf, it is automatically connected to a set of electrical connections.
- an electrophoresis unit can be placed on a shelf so that electrical connections are not made to the frame.
- Each shelf is preferably formed by a pair of arms.
- the frame allows the running of several units simultaneously as each unit is supplied by the same power supply. Furthermore, by stacking the units on the frame, the amount of space taken up by the various electrophoresis units is reduced.
- the frame of the present invention can be connected to other similar frames in order to form a larger multi-framed system all connected to the same power supply.
- Figure 1A is an exploded view of an electrophoresis unit according to the first aspect of the present invention.
- Figure IB is an exploded view of an alternative electrophoresis unit according to the first aspect of the present invention.
- Figure 2 shows an electrode support according to the second aspect of the present invention.
- Figures 3A and 3B show respectively, a side view of an electrophoresis unit according to the third aspect of the present invention before the plate is compressed and when the plate is compressed.
- Figures 4A and 4B show respectively, a side view of an alternative electrophoresis unit according to the third aspect of the present invention before the plate is compressed and when the plate is compressed.
- Figure 5 shows a frame according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.
- an electrophoresis unit comprising a base (1) in the form a shallow tray, a lid (3) and electrode supports (5 and 7).
- the first electrode support (5) is slidably inserted into the base (1) at one end as shown by the arrow in Figure 1A.
- the first electrode support (5) is slidably connected to the base at one end as shown in Figure IB.
- tongues (22 and 24) of electrode support (5) slidably engage grooves (8) formed in guide blocks (11) removably attached to the longitudinal walls of the base as shown in Figure IB.
- the second electrode support (7) is attached to the lid by screws.
- the lid (3) is connected to the base by a series of plugs (13) positioned at the corners of the lid (3) which engage with sockets (17) formed at the corners of the base.
- the base (1) comprises electrical terminals (15 and 16) for connecting the electrodes of the electrode supports (5 and 7) to a power source.
- the electrode of the first electrode support (5) when slidably connected to or inserted into the base (1) forms an electrical connection to a first terminal (15).
- the electrode on the second electrode support (7) forms an electrical connection to the second terminal (16) via an electrical plug (13a) and socket (17a) connection made when the lid (3) is connected to the base (1).
- the second terminal (16) has a direct electrical connection to socket (17a) and when the lid (3) is connected to the base (1) an electrical connection is made between socket (17a) and plug (13a).
- plug (13a) is electrically connected to the electrode on the second electrode support (7) the electrode is connected to a power source.
- Figure 2 shows an electrode support (5) having an electrode (19) threaded through a series of holes (21 to 31) in the support (5).
- the electrode support (5) has six holes (21 to 31) which pass from one face (32) of the support through to a face (33) that contacts a gel-matrix when the electrode is used in a semi-dry electrophoresis unit.
- a platinum wire electrode (19) is passed through hole (21) from face (32) to face (33), then through hole (25) from face (33) to face (32), then through hole (23) from face (32) to face (33), then through hole (29) from face (33) to face (32) and then through hole (27) from face (32) to face (33), and finally through hole (31) from face (33) to face (32).
- the electrode (19) is thereby backstitched onto the electrode support (5).
- the electrode support (5) has a face (33) which has an electrode continuously present along its face in the region where the holes are formed.
- the ends of the electrode are anchored to the support by screws (34) and are connected to a power source via an electrical connection (not shown in Figure 2).
- An electrophoresis unit having a resiliently mounted plate (35) is described with reference to Figures 3 A and 3B.
- An alternative electrophoresis unit having a resiliently mounted plate (35) is described with reference to Figures 4 A and 4B.
- the base (1) of the electrophoresis units is shown in cross section in the Figures.
- a plate (35) for receiving a gel-matrix (39) which fits in the base (1) of the electrophoresis units, is mounted on compression springs (37).
- a lid (3) with electrode support (7) attached is shown in Figures 3A and 4A before connection to the base (1). In Figures 3B and 4B the lid (3) is shown attached to the base (1).
- electrode supports (5 and 7) as shown in the Figures contact a gel-matrix
- electrode support (5) is slidably inserted into the base (1) as described above with reference to Figure 1A.
- Electrode support (7) is removably attached to the lid (3).
- the top edges of the electrode supports (5 and 7) extend above the top of the walls of the base (1) ( Figure 3A).
- the electrode supports (5 and 7) are then held under pressure against the gel-matrix (39) causing the plate (35) to become compressed towards the bottom of the base (1) ( Figure 3B).
- a firm contact is made between the electrodes on the electrode supports (5 and 7) and the gel- matrix (39).
- electrode support (5) is slidably connected to the base (1) as described above with reference to Figure IB.
- Electrode support (7) is removably attached to the lid (3).
- Electrode support (5) is held at its uppermost position within grooves (8) by the resiliently mounted plate (35) ( Figure 4A).
- the electrode supports (5 and 7) are held under pressure against the gel-matrix (39) causing the plate (35) to become compressed towards the bottom of the base (1) ( Figure 4B).
- the frame (41) comprises two columns (43 and 45), a top beam (47), a bottom beam (49) and two side-supports (50) (only one is shown in Figure 5) for increasing stability.
- the columns (43 and 45) have an equal number of arms extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the columns.
- An arm of the first column (43) and the corresponding arm on the second column (45) form a shelf for receiving an electrophoresis unit.
- Each column has a surface (51) associated with each arm.
- the surface (51) abuts the side of an electrophoresis unit placed on the arm.
- the surface (51) has an electrical connection (not shown in Figure 5).
- Two electrical connections are associated with each shelf, one on each column (43 and 45). The electrical connections are separated by the same distance as the terminals (15 and 16) on the electrophoresis unit to be placed on the shelf so that when the electrophoresis unit is placed on the shelf, the terminals (15 and 16) of the unit engage the electrical connections on the frame (41).
- terminals (53) are provided for connecting the frame (41) to a power source.
- the columns and beams have hollow channels enabling the necessary electrical connections to be made using electrical cable.
- the electrical connections are made in parallel making one column positive and one column negative.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Electrostatic Separation (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0100313A GB2353866B (en) | 1999-05-06 | 2000-05-05 | Gel electrophoresis |
AU45922/00A AU4592200A (en) | 1999-05-06 | 2000-05-05 | Gel electrophoresis |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9910322.8 | 1999-05-06 | ||
GBGB9910322.8A GB9910322D0 (en) | 1999-05-06 | 1999-05-06 | A cartridge system for semi-dry electrophoresis |
GBGB9929164.3A GB9929164D0 (en) | 1999-12-09 | 1999-12-09 | Electrophoresis unit |
GB9929164.3 | 1999-12-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000068677A1 true WO2000068677A1 (en) | 2000-11-16 |
Family
ID=26315509
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2000/001739 WO2000068677A1 (en) | 1999-05-06 | 2000-05-05 | Gel electrophoresis |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU4592200A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2353866B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000068677A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2002056004A2 (en) * | 2001-01-12 | 2002-07-18 | Syngenta Participations Ag | Thin film electrophoresis apparatus and method |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5256269A (en) * | 1990-12-14 | 1993-10-26 | 908098 Ontario Inc. | Method and apparatus for separating biological substances and organic compounds in solution |
WO1997036170A1 (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1997-10-02 | Life Technologies, Inc. | Electrophoresis apparatus |
EP0872731A2 (en) * | 1997-04-11 | 1998-10-21 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for electrophoresis |
-
2000
- 2000-05-05 GB GB0100313A patent/GB2353866B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-05-05 AU AU45922/00A patent/AU4592200A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-05-05 WO PCT/GB2000/001739 patent/WO2000068677A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5256269A (en) * | 1990-12-14 | 1993-10-26 | 908098 Ontario Inc. | Method and apparatus for separating biological substances and organic compounds in solution |
WO1997036170A1 (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1997-10-02 | Life Technologies, Inc. | Electrophoresis apparatus |
EP0872731A2 (en) * | 1997-04-11 | 1998-10-21 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for electrophoresis |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2002056004A2 (en) * | 2001-01-12 | 2002-07-18 | Syngenta Participations Ag | Thin film electrophoresis apparatus and method |
WO2002056004A3 (en) * | 2001-01-12 | 2004-02-19 | Syngenta Participations Ag | Thin film electrophoresis apparatus and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2353866B (en) | 2003-12-03 |
AU4592200A (en) | 2000-11-21 |
GB0100313D0 (en) | 2001-02-14 |
GB2353866A (en) | 2001-03-07 |
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