Automated electrophoresis gel manipulation apparatus and method
AssigneeLARGE SCALE PROTEOMICS CORPORATION, A Division of Large Scale Biology Corporation
InventorsN. Anderson, Jack Goodman, L. Wallgren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automated, computer controlled assembly is provided for continuously processing a large number of electrophoresis gels. The assembly includes a loading assembly for loading a gel onto a carrier, a gel staining assembly and a scanning and cutting assembly. The staining assembly and the scanning and cutting assembly each include a robotic arm that is able to capture a gel and transfer the gel to selected work stations and can transfer the gel between the respective robotic arms.
Claims54
An automated apparatus for processing an electrophoresis gel comprising:
- a first recording assembly for receiving identifying information of a second dimension electrophoresis gel slab;
- a second recording assembly for receiving identifying information of a gel clamp where said gel clamp is capable of supporting and transporting said gel slab;
- and
- a computer coupled to said first recording assembly and said second recording assembly for cataloging a selected gel slab with a selected gel clamp.
13-47. (canceled)
A gel processing apparatus for processing a second dimension electrophoresis gel slab, said apparatus comprising:
- a first gel slab processing device for processing said gel slab;
- a robotic arm assembly for manipulating said gel slab and maneuvering said gel slab into a substantially horizontal processing position of said first gel processing device;
- and
- an operating computer operatively coupled to said robotic arm for controlling said robotic arm to maneuver said gel slab into said processing position.
A method of scanning an image of a stained electrophoresis gel and excising selected gel spots from the gel by an automated assembly, said method comprising the steps of:
- capturing said stained electrophoresis gel on a supporting member that is removably coupled to an automated arm assembly,
- transferring said supporting member to a gel scanning device by said automated robotic arm assembly,
- scanning said gel and capturing an image of said gel and identifying selected spots to be excised and generating a cutting signal for cutting said selected spots,
- transferring said supporting member from said scanning device to a gel cutting device by said automated robotic arm assembly, and
- directing said cutting signal to said cutting device for automatically operating said cutting device and cutting and removing said selected spots from said gel.
An apparatus for leveling an electrophoresis gel on a supporting member, comprising:
- a base member having a dimension for receiving said supporting member and said gel, and
- a pressing member for applying a localized pressure toward said base member for leveling said gel on said supporting member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.