JP5307101B2 - Gel cassette for electrophoresis and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gel cassette for electrophoresis capable of increasing a storage number into a batch type container and being efficiently charged with gel, and having excellent stability and reproducibility in gel quality, and good handleability and workability at electrophoresis, and to provide a method for manufacturing the same. <P>SOLUTION: The gel cassette for electrophoresis comprises: a cassette member 5 having a pair of tabular base materials 1 oppositely disposed at an interval in a thickness direction T, gel 2 charged between the pair of base materials 1, a first opening 3 for exposing the gel 2 on one side of an energizing direction E perpendicular to a thickness direction T of the base materials 1, and a second opening 4 for exposing the gel 2 on the other side of the energizing direction E of the base materials 1; and a buffer tub formation member 8 for forming a first buffer tub 6 disposing the first opening 3 thereon, and a second buffer tub 7 partitioned from the first buffer tub 6 and disposing the second opening 4 thereon. The buffer tub formation member 8 is detachable to the cassette member 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophoresis gel cassette and a method for producing the same.

  Conventionally, electrophoresis is known as a method for separating genes and proteins. The electrophoresis method is a method for separating a separation analysis object such as a nucleic acid or a protein based on a difference in electrophoresis moving speed or the like. In particular, a method of separating a separated sample (sample) by introducing it into a gel containing an electrolyte and applying a voltage to both ends of the gel is common.

  One widely used method for separating a protein mixture is a gel electrophoresis method called SDS-PAGE. In this method, the protein is charged by coating with SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), moved in a polyacrylamide gel, and separated according to the size of the protein.

  Electrophoresis is carried out by electrically contacting (connecting) both the cathode and anode electrodes and the gel medium in an electrode buffer solution and introducing an electric current after the sample is introduced. When the current starts to flow, the protein starts to move in the gel from the cathode toward the anode, and moves faster as the molecular weight is smaller.

  In SDS-PAGE, it is common for an experimenter to prepare and use a gel plate by pouring a polymer solution (sol-like gel solution) between flat glass plates and polymerizing the solution. However, in recent years, for convenience and reproducibility, there is an increasing demand for precast gel cassettes produced by contractors. The precast gel cassette is also basically used in such a manner that a gel is filled in a region between two flat glass or resin plates, and the gel is brought into contact with an external buffer solution at the time of migration.

  As a method for producing a gel (gel plate) of a precast gel cassette, it is common to inject a gel solution for each set of cassettes. However, in this method, since refilling is performed for each cassette, production efficiency is poor, reproducibility of filling cannot be ensured, and the quality of the cassette may not be stable.

  As a technique for coping with such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 2 below, a plurality of cassettes are arranged in a batch container, the gel solution is filled in the batch container, and the gel solution is filled in the cassette. A technique for preparing a plurality of gel plates at once is described. According to such a batch-type gel filling method, a large amount of gel plates (gel cassettes) can be produced at one time, and a gel of the same quality is preferably produced.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 below describes an electrophoresis gel cassette integrated with a buffer tank in which a buffer tank for storing a buffer solution is integrated with the cassette. The integrated system enables a space-saving system. Further, by integrating the cassette and the buffer tank, it is not necessary to prepare the containers separately, and the operation is simple.

Japanese Patent No. 44441653 Japanese Patent No. 3071927

  By the way, in the gel cassette for electrophoresis of the buffer tank integrated type described in Patent Document 1, handling of the buffer solution is simple and no error occurs, but there may be a problem when the gel solution is filled. . A particularly big problem is that it is difficult to perform batch-type filling as in Patent Document 2.

  That is, because the buffer tank is integrated, the thickness of the cassette is increased, and the outer surfaces of the cassette cannot be brought into close contact with each other. It was reducing efficiency. Moreover, even if it accommodates in a batch-type container so that cassettes integrated with a buffer tank are brought into close contact with each other and is filled with a gel solution, the gel solution may enter a space formed between the cassettes (such as a buffer tank). Filling could not be performed stably.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the number of batch containers can be increased, the gel can be efficiently filled, and the gel quality is stable and reproducible. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophoresis gel cassette that is excellent and easy to handle during electrophoresis and has good workability, and a method for producing the same.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes the following means.
That is, the gel cassette for electrophoresis of the present invention has a plate-like shape, a pair of base materials that are opposed to each other with a gap in the thickness direction, a gel filled between the pair of base materials, A cassette member having a first opening that exposes the gel on one side of the energization direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and a second opening that exposes the gel on the other side of the energization direction of the substrate; A first buffer tank in which the first opening is disposed, and a buffer tank forming member that forms a second buffer tank that is partitioned from the first buffer tank and in which the second opening is disposed, The buffer tank forming member is attachable to and detachable from the cassette member. Of the pair of base materials, an end portion in the energization direction on an outer surface of one base material has the first opening and the first One of the two openings is formed , One of the pair of substrates, the portion corresponding to the end of the current direction in the outer surface of the other substrate, characterized in that the recess is formed so as to retract the thickness direction from the outer surface And
Moreover, the gel cassette for electrophoresis of the present invention has a plate-like shape, a pair of base materials opposed to each other at an interval in the thickness direction, a gel filled between the pair of base materials, A cassette member having a first opening that exposes the gel on one side of the energization direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and a second opening that exposes the gel on the other side of the energization direction of the substrate; A first buffer tank in which the first opening is disposed, and a buffer tank forming member that forms a second buffer tank that is partitioned from the first buffer tank and in which the second opening is disposed, The buffer tank forming member is attachable to and detachable from the cassette member, and at least one or more vent holes are formed in the cassette member so as to communicate between the pair of base materials and the outside. It is characterized by being
Moreover, the gel cassette for electrophoresis of the present invention has a plate-like shape, a pair of base materials opposed to each other at an interval in the thickness direction, a gel filled between the pair of base materials, A cassette member having a first opening that exposes the gel on one side of the energization direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and a second opening that exposes the gel on the other side of the energization direction of the substrate; A first buffer tank in which the first opening is disposed, and a buffer tank forming member that forms a second buffer tank that is partitioned from the first buffer tank and in which the second opening is disposed, The buffer tank forming member is attachable to and detachable from the cassette member. The buffer tank forming member is stored in the outer container that can store the cassette member, and the inner bottom surface of the outer container. Facing the outer surface of the base material And the inner container placed on the cassette member on which is disposed so as to, characterized by comprising a.
Further, the present invention provides a pair of base materials that are plate-shaped and face each other at an interval in the thickness direction, a gel filled between the pair of base materials, and a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base materials. A cassette member having a first opening that exposes the gel on one side of the energization direction, and a second opening that exposes the gel on the other side of the energization direction of the substrate; and the first opening An electrophoresis gel cassette comprising: a first buffer tank disposed; and a buffer tank forming member that forms a second buffer tank partitioned from the first buffer tank and disposed with the second opening. In the manufacturing method, the buffer tank forming member can be attached to and detached from the cassette member, and a plurality of cassette members are accommodated in a batch-type container in a state where the buffer tank forming member is detached from the cassette member. ,this A filling step of filling the gel solution between a pair of base materials of the cassette member by flowing the sol-like gel solution into the batch container, and mounting the buffer tank forming member on the cassette member And a mounting step.

According to the gel cassette for electrophoresis and the method for producing the same according to the present invention, the buffer tank forming member can be attached to and detached from the cassette member.
That is, among the cassette member and the buffer tank forming member, only the cassette member can be accommodated in the batch type container and filled with the gel. Specifically, with a gap for gel filling between a pair of base materials, a plurality of such base material pairs are accommodated in a batch type container, and a sol-like gel solution is placed in the batch type container. While filling, the gap is filled with the gel solution. Then, a plurality of cassette members are produced at a time by polymerizing the gel solution to form a gel (gel plate).

  As described above, since the gel can be filled between the base materials without mounting the buffer tank forming member on the cassette member, the number of cassette members accommodated in the batch type container can be sufficiently secured, and the production efficiency is improved. Moreover, the gel filled in the cassette member using the batch-type container has uniform characteristics, stable quality, and excellent reproducibility.

In addition, since the buffer tank forming member can be attached and integrated with the cassette member produced in this way, the electrophoresis apparatus including the gel cassette for electrophoresis can be configured compactly. In addition, by integrating the cassette member and the buffer tank forming member, it is not necessary to prepare containers (first and second buffer tanks) separately, and thus handling is easy and workability is improved.
Moreover, although the cassette member used for electrophoresis is discarded, the buffer tank forming member can be removed from the cassette member and reused, so that an effect of cost reduction can be obtained.
In addition, one of the first opening and the second opening is formed at an end of the energizing direction on the outer surface of one of the pair of bases, and the pair of bases A concave portion is formed in a portion of the material corresponding to the end portion in the energization direction on the outer surface of another base material so as to recede from the outer surface in the thickness direction.
In this case, when a plurality of cassette members are accommodated in the batch type container, the cassette members are arranged in the batch type container so that the cassette members are adjacent to each other in the thickness direction, The end portion and a portion corresponding to the end portion in the energizing direction on the outer surface of another base material of another cassette member adjacent to the cassette member are arranged to face each other. Thereby, the 1st opening part or 2nd opening part in the outer surface of one base material of a cassette member, and the recessed part in the outer surface of the other base material of another cassette member adjacent to this cassette member shall be opposingly arranged. become.
Here, since the recess is formed so as to recede in the thickness direction from the outer surface of the other base material, a gap is formed between the recess and the first opening or the second opening. Will be. In such a state, by filling the batch type container with the gel solution, the gel solution surely flows into the first opening or the second opening through the gap, and between the pair of base materials. It is filled with high accuracy.
Further, at least one or more vent holes are formed in the cassette member so as to communicate between the pair of base materials and the outside.
In this case, when the gel solution is filled between the pair of base materials of the cassette member, the gas existing between the base materials is easily discharged to the outside through the vent and replaced with the gel solution. Therefore, the gel can be more accurately filled between the base members of the cassette member.
The buffer tank forming member is disposed in the outer container capable of accommodating the cassette member and the outer container, the outer surface of the base material facing the inner bottom surface of the outer container. An inner container placed on the cassette member.
In this case, since the cassette member is accommodated in the outer container, the first buffer tank and the second opening which are partitioned by the outer container and the inner container and in which the first opening of the cassette member is disposed are disposed. Even if the buffer solution leaks from one of the second buffer tanks to the other, for example, the buffer solution does not leak outside the gel cassette for electrophoresis. Therefore, the electrophoretic device is prevented from being soiled or broken due to the leakage of the buffer solution.

  In the gel cassette for electrophoresis according to the present invention, the buffer tank forming member may be attached to the cassette member via an adhesive member.

  In this case, the buffer tank forming member can be easily and reliably attached to the cassette member, and workability is improved.

  Moreover, in the gel cassette for electrophoresis according to the present invention, the elastic member disposed between the buffer tank forming member and the cassette member, and the buffer tank forming member and the cassette member being brought close to each other It is good also as having the holding means hold | maintained.

  In this case, the holding means holds the buffer tank forming member and the cassette member in a state where they are close to each other, and the elastic member disposed between them is elastically deformed so that the buffer tank forming member and the cassette member are It is closely attached to. Thereby, the first and second buffer tanks formed by the buffer tank forming member are liquid-tight, and leakage of the buffer solution stored in these buffer tanks is prevented.

Further, by releasing the holding of the holding means, the buffer tank forming member and the cassette member are separated from each other by the elastic force of the elastic member, and the elastic member is restored and deformed. Therefore, when the buffer layer forming member is removed from the used cassette member and mounted on another new cassette member, this elastic member can also be removed from the old cassette member and reused. Therefore, the effect of cost reduction can be obtained.
Further, since the elastic member is only brought into close contact with the cassette member and the buffer tank forming member by elastic deformation, the operation of removing the elastic member from the cassette member or / and the buffer tank forming member is simple, Workability is improved.

  In the gel cassette for electrophoresis according to the present invention, electrodes may be provided in each of the first buffer tank and the second buffer tank of the buffer tank forming member.

  In this case, since the electrodes are respectively provided in the first and second buffer tanks of the buffer tank forming member, when the electrophoresis gel cassette having the buffer tank forming member is disposed in the electrophoresis apparatus, 1. The operation | work which attaches an electrode to a 1st, 2nd buffer tank becomes unnecessary, and workability | operativity improves. In this case, if the buffer tank forming member is repeatedly used, the disposed electrode is not wasted.

  In the gel cassette for electrophoresis according to the present invention, the base material may be an insulator made of at least one of a glass material and a resin material.

  Moreover, the gel cassette for electrophoresis which concerns on this invention WHEREIN: The said buffer tank formation member is good also as providing the said 1st buffer tank and the said 2nd buffer tank integrally.

  In this case, the operation of attaching / detaching the buffer tank forming member to / from the cassette member becomes easier.

  In the electrophoresis gel cassette according to the present invention, the inner container may be fitted to the outer container.

  In this case, the relative fixation between the outer container and the inner container can be easily performed, and the relative positioning of these can be performed with high accuracy.

  In the gel cassette for electrophoresis according to the present invention, the base material and the buffer tank forming member may be produced by either injection molding or vacuum molding.

  In this case, if the base material and the buffer tank forming member are produced by injection molding, high-precision molding becomes possible. Further, if the base material and the buffer tank forming member are produced by vacuum forming, they can be manufactured to be thinner and cheaper, and the effect of cost reduction can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the gel cassette for electrophoresis according to the present invention, a region including at least one of the first opening and the second opening in the outer surface of the substrate is sealed with a peelable sealing member. The sealing member is attached to the outer surface via the adhesive member, and is peeled off from the outer surface so that the adhesive member can be exposed to be bonded.

  In this case, since the sealing member seals the region including at least one of the first opening and the second opening, the gel filled in the unused cassette member is not exposed to the outside air or the like. It can be kept clean and the gel quality is maintained well. Further, when performing electrophoresis, by peeling this sealing member, at least one of the first opening and the second opening is opened and the buffer tank forming member is attached to the cassette member. Since the adhesive member is exposed, the buffer tank forming member is integrally attached to the cassette member via the adhesive member, and the gel cassette for electrophoresis is easily produced. Therefore, the workability during electrophoresis can be improved while maintaining good gel quality.

  According to the gel cassette for electrophoresis and the method for producing the same according to the present invention, the number of batch containers can be increased, the gel can be efficiently filled, the gel quality is stable, and the reproducibility is excellent. In addition, it is easy to handle during electrophoresis and has good workability.

It is the (a) disassembled perspective view and (b) perspective view of the gel cassette 10 for electrophoresis which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the side sectional view explaining the composition of (a) cassette member 5 of gel cassette 10 for electrophoresis, and (b) side sectional view. It is (a) top view and (b) side view of the gel cassette 10 for electrophoresis. It is a top view explaining the adhesive member 12 of the gel cassette 10 for electrophoresis. It is a figure explaining the method to fill the gel 2 to the cassette member 5 of the gel cassette 10 for electrophoresis. It is a top view which shows the buffer tank formation member 8 of the gel cassette 20 for electrophoresis which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the buffer tank formation member 8 and the elastic member 21 of the gel cassette 20 for electrophoresis. It is a bottom view which shows the buffer tank formation member 8 and the elastic member 21 of the gel cassette 20 for electrophoresis. It is (a) decomposition | disassembly side sectional drawing, (b) side sectional drawing explaining the structure of the gel cassette 20 for electrophoresis. It is the (a) top view and (b) side sectional view of the gel cassette 30 for electrophoresis which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the (a) top view and (b) side sectional view showing cassette member 5 of gel cassette 30 for electrophoresis. It is a figure which shows the modification of the cassette member. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of the gel cassette 30 for electrophoresis. It is a sectional side view of the gel cassette 40 for electrophoresis which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of the gel cassette 40 for electrophoresis. It is a sectional side view of the gel cassette 50 for electrophoresis which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of the gel cassette 50 for electrophoresis. It is a sectional side view of the gel cassette for electrophoresis 60 which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an electrophoresis gel cassette 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The electrophoresis gel cassette 10 is detachably disposed in an electrophoresis apparatus (not shown) that separates separation analysis objects (samples) such as nucleic acids and proteins based on differences in electrophoresis moving speed and the like. Is. Specifically, this electrophoresis apparatus is a two-dimensional electrophoretic combination of two electrophoretic steps of isoelectric focusing based on the difference in isoelectric point (charge) of the sample and SDS-PAGE based on the difference in molecular weight. Electrophoresis device.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the gel cassette 10 for electrophoresis is plate-shaped and has a pair of base materials 1 (1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B) and a pair of base materials that are opposed to each other with an interval in the thickness direction T. The first opening 3 that exposes the gel 2 on one side (the right side in FIG. 2B) of the energizing direction E perpendicular to the thickness direction T of the base material 1; The cassette member 5 having the second opening 4 that exposes the gel 2 on the other side (the left side in FIG. 2B) of the energization direction E of the substrate 1 and the first buffer in which the first opening 3 is disposed. The tank 6 and the buffer tank formation member 8 which forms the 2nd buffer tank 7 which is divided from the 1st buffer tank 6 and the 2nd opening part 4 is arrange | positioned are provided.

  The pair of base materials 1 are insulators made of at least one of a glass material and a resin material, and a transparent resin material is used in the present embodiment. As this resin material, a known low oxygen permeable member is preferably used, and in particular, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) is desirable. The base material 1 is produced by injection molding.

  3A, each of the pair of base materials 1 has a rectangular plate shape, and the longitudinal direction thereof is the energization direction E. Of the pair of base materials 1, rectangular hole-shaped or slit-shaped first openings 3 and first openings 3 are formed at both ends of the energizing direction E on the outer surface of one base material 1 </ b> A (the surface facing the outside in the thickness direction T). Two openings 4 are formed extending in the width direction W perpendicular to the energization direction E and the thickness direction T. 2A, in the present embodiment, the first opening 3 is formed at one end portion in the energizing direction E (the right end portion in FIG. 2A) on the outer surface of the substrate 1A, and the other end in the energizing direction E. A second opening 4 is formed in the portion (the left end in FIG. 2A). The first opening 3 and the second opening 4 are formed so as to penetrate the one base material 1A in the thickness direction T.

Of the pair of base materials 1, the surface facing the base material 1 </ b> A side in the other base material 1 </ b> B is formed such that a region other than the outer peripheral edge is recessed in a rectangular hole shape. And these base materials 1A and 1B are united by the ultrasonic welding of the outer periphery of the surface which mutually faces. The bases 1A and 1B may be fixed to each other using an adhesive, an adhesive seal, or the like. However, as described above, fixing by ultrasonic welding may reduce the number of members. Is more preferable in view of the above. In addition, without forming a rectangular hole area in the base material 1B, for example, in a state where a spacer member is disposed between the opposing surfaces of the base materials 1A and 1B, the base materials 1 are fixed together. It doesn't matter.
A flat rectangular space (filling region) for filling the gel 2 is formed between the pair of base materials 1 in a state where the base materials 1A and 1B are fixed to each other. The first opening 3 and the second opening 4 communicate with the region.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, at least one or more vent holes 11 are formed in the cassette member 5 so as to communicate between the pair of base materials 1 (the filling region) and the outside. Has been. In this embodiment, one vent hole 11 is formed on the surface facing the other side of the cassette member 5 facing the energizing direction E (the surface facing the lower side in FIG. 3A). Note that a plurality of vent holes 11 may be formed in the cassette member 5, and the position at which the vent holes 11 are arranged is not limited.

  Moreover, as shown to Fig.2 (a), thickness direction T from the outer surface of the base material 1B to the site | part corresponding to the one end part of the energization direction E of the outer surface of the base material 1A in the outer surface of the other base material 1B. A recess 9 is formed so as to recede to the front. Specifically, the recess 9 is located at a portion corresponding to the thickness direction T of the first opening 3 of the base 1A at the one end on the outer surface of the base 1B. In the present embodiment, the recess 9 gradually increases in the thickness direction T from the inner side (center) along the energization direction E to the outer side (the one side, the right side in FIG. 2A) on the outer surface of the other base material 1B. It is formed in a taper shape so as to go to the substrate 1A side.

  The gel 2 is an electrophoresis gel such as an acrylamide gel, and is formed by polymerizing a sol-like gel solution. The gel 2 is filled between a pair of base materials 1 to form a plate (gel plate), and is visible from the outside through the transparent base material 1. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the cassette member 5, the gel 2 is filled between the base materials 1, the first opening 3, and the second opening 4, and the first opening The part 3 and the second opening 4 are exposed to the outside.

  The buffer tank forming member 8 is made of an insulating material such as a resin material and is manufactured by injection molding. As shown in FIG. 1A, the buffer tank forming member 8 of the present embodiment has a rectangular frame shape, and the outer shape in the energizing direction E and the width direction W is the outer shape of the outer surface of the substrate 1. It is almost the same. The buffer tank forming member 8 includes a rectangular outer frame portion 8A and a pair of wall portions 8B extending so as to connect the surfaces facing the width direction W in the outer frame portion 8A.

  That is, the inner region of the outer frame portion 8A of the buffer tank forming member 8 is partitioned into three regions by the pair of wall portions 8B. Of the three areas divided in the energization direction E in the buffer tank forming member 8, the area corresponding to the first opening 3 of the base 1 </ b> A is defined as the first buffer tank 6, and the second opening 4. The area corresponding to is the second buffer tank 7. Specifically, in FIG. 1B, in the state where the buffer tank forming member 8 is disposed on the base material 1A, each of the three regions has a rectangular container shape with an upper opening, and stores liquid. It is possible. As described above, the buffer tank forming member 8 of the present embodiment includes the first buffer tank 6 and the second buffer tank 7 integrally.

Although not particularly shown, the buffer tank forming member 8 is provided with electrodes on the first buffer tank 6 and the second buffer tank 7, respectively. For example, these electrodes may be prepared by applying a silver colloid paste or the like to the buffer tank forming member 8, but it is more preferable that the electrodes are made of a conductive metal wire such as platinum. These electrodes are arranged at positions where the electrodes can be immersed in the buffer solution in the first and second buffer tanks 6 and 7, and are composed of a pair of cathode and anode.
Of the three areas in the buffer tank forming member 8, the central area sandwiched between the first and second buffer tanks 6 and 7 is used as a visual recognition area for confirming the state of electrophoresis, or cooling water is used. It can be stored and used in a cooling tank.

  The buffer tank forming member 8 can be attached to and detached from the cassette member 5. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer surface of the base material 1 </ b> A of the cassette member 5 is made of a double-sided adhesive tape or the like having a shape corresponding to the end surface facing the thickness direction T in the buffer tank forming member 8. A member 12 is provided, and the buffer tank forming member 8 is attached to the cassette member 5 via the adhesive member 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the adhesive member 12 is integrally formed without a break, thereby ensuring liquid tightness at the connecting portion between the buffer tank forming member 8 and the cassette member 5, and The 1 buffer tank 6 and the 2nd buffer tank 7 are formed in a liquid-tight container shape.

Next, a method for manufacturing the electrophoresis gel cassette 10 of this embodiment will be described.
In the gel cassette for electrophoresis 10, a plurality of cassette members 5 are accommodated in a batch type container 13 with the buffer tank forming member 8 removed from the cassette member 5, and a sol-like gel solution is placed in the batch type container 13. By being introduced, the cassette member 5 is manufactured by including a filling step of filling the gel solution between the pair of base materials 1 and a mounting step of mounting the buffer tank forming member 8 on the cassette member 5. ing.

(Filling process)
As shown in FIG. 5, the batch type container 13 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped container having a size capable of accommodating a plurality of cassette members 5. The cassette member 5 is formed by previously bonding the pair of base materials 1A, 1B by the ultrasonic welding or the like described above to form the filling region, and sealing the second opening 4 of the base material 1A with a sealing material or the like. Keep it.

Next, the plurality of cassette members 5 are accommodated in the batch type container 13. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, one end portion of the cassette member 5 in the energizing direction E (the end portion on the first opening 3 side) is arranged at the bottom of the batch-type container 13, and the energizing direction of the cassette member 5. E should be along the vertical direction. The cassette members 5 are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the thickness direction T, and the first opening 3 at the one end on the outer surface of the base material 1A of the one cassette member 5 and the cassette member 5 The concave portion 9 of the one end portion on the outer surface of the base material 1B of another cassette member 5 adjacent to the other cassette member 5 is arranged to be opposed.
Next, the gel solution is fed to the batch type container 13 from the bottom. At this time, the adhesive member 12 may be affixed to the base material 1A in advance. After the gel member is filled in the cassette member 5, the gel 2 is formed by polymerizing the gel solution.

(Installation process)
Next, as shown in FIG. 1, a buffer tank forming member 8 is mounted on the cassette member 5.
In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the buffer tank forming member 8 is fixed to the base material 1 </ b> A of the cassette member 5 via the adhesive member 12.

  The thus prepared electrophoresis gel cassette 10 is mounted on the electrophoresis apparatus, the buffer solution is stored in the first and second buffer tanks 6 and 7, and a voltage is applied between these electrodes to apply current. The sample is separated by flowing the sample.

As described above, according to the electrophoresis gel cassette 10 and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present embodiment, the buffer tank forming member 8 can be attached to and detached from the cassette member 5.
That is, among the cassette member 5 and the buffer tank forming member 8, only the cassette member 5 can be accommodated in the batch type container 13 and filled with the gel 2. Specifically, a plurality of such pairs of base materials 1 are accommodated in a batch-type container 13 with a gap (filling region) for gel filling between the pair of base materials 1A and 1B. The type container 13 is filled with a sol-like gel solution, and the gap is filled with the gel solution. Then, a plurality of cassette members 5 are produced at a time by polymerizing the gel solution to obtain a gel (gel plate) 2.

  Thus, since the gel 2 can be filled between the base materials 1A and 1B without mounting the buffer tank forming member 8 on the cassette member 5, the number of cassette members 5 accommodated in the batch-type container 13 can be sufficiently secured, Production efficiency is improved. In addition, the gel 2 filled in the cassette member 5 using the batch type container 13 has uniform characteristics, stable quality, and excellent reproducibility.

  Moreover, since the buffer tank forming member 8 can be attached to and integrated with the cassette member 5 manufactured in this way, the electrophoresis apparatus including the electrophoresis gel cassette 10 can be configured compactly. Specifically, as in the present embodiment, when the outer shape of the buffer tank forming member 8 (the outer shape in the energization direction E and the outer shape in the width direction W) is set to be substantially the same as the outer shape of the substrate 1, the electrophoresis apparatus The outer shape in the energizing direction E and the outer shape in the width direction W can be configured in a space-saving manner.

Further, by integrating the cassette member 5 and the buffer tank forming member 8, it is not necessary to prepare containers (first and second buffer tanks) separately, so that handling is easy and workability is improved.
Moreover, although the cassette member 5 used for electrophoresis is discarded, the buffer tank forming member 8 can be removed from the cassette member 5 and reused, so that an effect of cost reduction can be obtained.

  In addition, since the buffer tank forming member 8 is attached to the cassette member 5 via the adhesive member 12, the buffer tank forming member 8 can be easily and reliably attached to the cassette member 5 and workability is improved. To do. In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated as the adhesive member 12 which consists of a double-sided adhesive tape etc., it is not limited to this, For example, you may use the adhesive member 12 which consists of other adhesive agents.

  Although not particularly illustrated, for example, a region including at least one of the first opening 3 and the second opening 4 in the outer surface of the substrate 1 is sealed with a peelable sealing member, The sealing member may be attached to the outer surface via the adhesive member 12, and may be exposed from the outer surface so that the adhesive member 12 can be bonded.

  In this case, since the sealing member seals the region including at least one of the first opening 3 and the second opening 4, the gel 2 filled in the unused cassette member 5 is removed from the outside air. The gel 2 can be kept clean without being exposed to the same, and the quality of the gel 2 is maintained well. Further, when performing electrophoresis, by peeling off this sealing member, at least one of the first opening 3 and the second opening 4 is opened, and the buffer tank forming member 8 is moved to the cassette member 5. Since the adhesive member 12 for attaching to the cassette member 5 is exposed, the buffer tank forming member 8 is integrally attached to the cassette member 5 through the adhesive member 12, and the gel cassette 10 for electrophoresis is easily produced. Therefore, the workability at the time of electrophoresis can be improved while maintaining the quality of the gel 2 well.

  In addition, since the first and second buffer tanks 6 and 7 of the buffer tank forming member 8 are provided with electrodes, the electrophoresis gel cassette 10 provided with the buffer tank forming member 8 is disposed in the electrophoresis apparatus. In doing so, the work of attaching the electrodes to the first and second buffer tanks 6 and 7 becomes unnecessary, and the workability is improved. In this case, if the buffer tank forming member 8 is repeatedly used, the disposed electrode is not wasted.

  Moreover, the 1st opening part 3 is formed in the one end part of the electricity supply direction E in the outer surface of one base material 1A among a pair of base materials 1A and 1B of the cassette member 5, and in the outer surface of the other base material 1B Since the recessed part 9 is formed in the site | part corresponding to the said one end part of 1 A of base materials, there exists the following effect. That is, as described in FIG. 5, when a plurality of cassette members 5 are accommodated in the batch type container 13, the cassette members 5 are arranged in the batch type container 13 so as to be adjacent to each other in the thickness direction T. The first opening 3 on the outer surface of the base material 1A of 5 and the concave portion 9 on the outer surface of the base material 1B of another cassette member 5 adjacent to the cassette member 5 are arranged to face each other.

  Here, since the recess 9 is formed so as to recede in the thickness direction T from the outer surface of the substrate 1B, a gap is formed between the recess 9 and the first opening 3. Become. In such a state, by filling the batch type container 13 with the gel solution, the gel solution surely flows into the first opening 3 through the gap, and the pair of base materials 1A, The space between 1B (filling region) is filled with high accuracy. Therefore, the gel 2 can be filled into the cassette member 5 reliably and with high accuracy.

  In the above description, the first opening 3 is formed at one end of the energizing direction E on the outer surface of the base 1A, and the first opening at the one end of the outer surface of the base 1A is formed on the outer surface of the base 1B. 3, the tapered concave portion 9 is formed at the portion corresponding to the number 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the concave portion 9 may be formed in a portion corresponding to the second opening 4 at the other end portion in the energizing direction E on the outer surface of the base material 1A among the outer surfaces of the base material 1B. Moreover, the shape of the recessed part 9 is not restricted to a taper shape, For example, the step part and groove | channel etc. which were depressed one step from the outer surface of the base material 1B may be sufficient.

  Further, since at least one or more vent holes 11 are formed in the cassette member 5 so as to communicate between the pair of base materials 1A and 1B and the outside, the pair of base materials of the cassette member 5 When the gel solution is filled between 1A and 1B, an inert gas or air such as air existing between the base materials 1 is easily discharged to the outside through the vent 11 and is easily replaced with the gel solution. Therefore, the gel 2 can be more accurately filled between the base materials 1 of the cassette member 5. In the present embodiment, since the vent hole 11 is formed at the upper end portion along the vertical direction (energization direction E) of the cassette member 5 shown in FIG. 5, the above-described effects can be obtained with certainty. ing.

  Moreover, since the buffer tank forming member 8 of this embodiment is provided with the 1st buffer tank 6 and the 2nd buffer tank 7 integrally, the operation | work which attaches / detaches this buffer tank forming member 8 to the cassette member 5 is simpler. Become. In the present embodiment, the first opening 3 is disposed at one end of the base material 1 in the energizing direction E, and the first opening 6 includes the first opening 3 at one end of the buffer tank forming member 8. Is disposed, the second opening 4 is disposed at the other end of the base 1 in the energizing direction E, and the second buffer tank 7 including the second opening 4 is disposed at the other end of the buffer tank forming member 8. Although they are arranged, these arrangements may be opposite to each other (one end and the other end in the energizing direction E are opposite).

  Moreover, since the base material 1 and the buffer tank forming member 8 are produced by injection molding, the base material 1 and the buffer tank forming member 8 can be molded with high accuracy. In addition, the base material 1 and the buffer tank formation member 8 may be produced by vacuum forming other than injection molding. In this case, it can be manufactured thinner and cheaper, and the effect of cost reduction can be obtained. Moreover, the base material 1 and the buffer tank forming member 8 may be produced by a manufacturing method other than injection molding and vacuum molding.

  Further, in the gel cassette for electrophoresis 10, the first and second buffer tanks 6 and 7 are located on the cassette member 5, and the outer surface of the base material 1B of the cassette member 5 is in direct contact with the electrophoresis apparatus. Can be arranged. Accordingly, the cassette member 5 can be easily cooled by a cooling means such as a Peltier element or a cooling fan provided in the electrophoresis apparatus, and temperature adjustment is easy.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an electrophoresis gel cassette 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as above-mentioned embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The electrophoresis gel cassette 20 of this embodiment is an elastic member 21 disposed between the buffer tank forming member 8 and the cassette member 5 instead of the adhesive member 12 described in the electrophoresis gel cassette 10 described above. And holding means 22 for holding the buffer tank forming member 8 and the cassette member 5 in a state of being brought close to each other.

  The elastic member 21 is made of a soft elastic material such as silicon rubber or urethane rubber, and has a shape corresponding to the end surface facing the thickness direction T in the buffer tank forming member 8 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. . As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the buffer tank forming member 8 is attached to the cassette member 5 via the elastic member 21.

  In the example shown in the figure, the elastic member 21 is brought into contact with the cassette member 5 in a state (supported state) in which the elastic member 21 is integrally fixed to the buffer tank forming member 8 or the like. It is not limited to. That is, the elastic member 21 may be brought into contact with the buffer tank forming member 8 in a state of being integrated with the cassette member 5. Alternatively, the elastic member 21 may be separated from the cassette member 5 and the buffer tank forming member 8 and may be disposed between them when the gel cassette 20 for electrophoresis is assembled.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the elastic member 21 is integrally formed without a break, thereby ensuring liquid tightness at the connecting portion between the buffer tank forming member 8 and the cassette member 5, and The 1 buffer tank 6 and the 2nd buffer tank 7 are formed in a liquid-tight container shape.

  9 (a) and 9 (b), the holding means 22 has a thickness direction T on the mounting plate 23 provided on the outer frame portion 8A of the buffer tank forming member 8 and the outer surface of the base member 1B of the cassette member 5. And a support plate 24 for supporting the cassette member 5 toward the buffer tank forming member 8 and an engagement portion 25 for engaging the mounting plate 23 and the support plate 24 with each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the mounting plate 23 is formed to protrude from the outer frame portion 8 </ b> A of the buffer tank forming member 8 toward the outside in the energization direction E. In the illustrated example, the mounting plates 23 are provided in pairs by protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the outer frame portion 8A to one side and the other side in the energizing direction E. The mounting plates 23 are formed with mounting holes 23 </ b> A penetrating in the thickness direction T.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), the support plate 24 has a plate shape or a container shape, and a support main body 24A that comes into contact with the outer surface of the substrate 1B, and an end of the support main body 24A in the energizing direction E And a support mounting portion 24B disposed on the mounting plate 23 and opposed to the mounting plate 23. In the illustrated example, the support main body 24A has a U-shaped cross section so as to accommodate the cassette member 5, and the support mounting portion 24B extends from the end of the support main body 24A in the energization direction E. Yes.

The engaging portion 25 includes a nut 25 </ b> A disposed in the support mounting portion 24 </ b> B of the support plate 24, and a bolt 25 </ b> B screwed into the nut 25 </ b> A through the mounting hole 23 </ b> A of the mounting plate 23.
The bolts 25B and nuts 25A are tightened together so that the cassette member 5 and the buffer tank forming member 8 come close to each other in the thickness direction T. In the illustrated example, the bolts 25B and nuts In a state where 25A is tightened, the support mounting portion 24B of the support plate 24 and the mounting plate 23 are in contact with each other.
In addition, as the engaging part 25, you may use engagement, such as a snap fit and a clip using elasticity other than bolt 25B and nut 25A.

  According to the gel cassette for electrophoresis 20 according to the present embodiment, the holding means 22 holds the buffer tank forming member 8 and the cassette member 5 in a state in which they are close to each other, and the elasticity disposed between them. The member 21 is elastically deformed and brought into close contact with the buffer tank forming member 8 and the cassette member 5. Thereby, the first and second buffer tanks 6 and 7 formed by the buffer tank forming member 8 are liquid-tight, and leakage of the buffer solution stored in these buffer tanks is prevented.

Further, by releasing the holding of the holding means 22, the buffer tank forming member 8 and the cassette member 5 are separated from each other by the elastic force of the elastic member 21, and the elastic member 21 is restored and deformed. Therefore, when the buffer layer forming member 8 is detached from the used cassette member 5 and mounted on another new cassette member 5, the elastic member 21 can also be removed from the old cassette member 5 and reused. Therefore, the effect of cost reduction can be obtained.
Further, since the elastic member 21 is only brought into close contact with the cassette member 5 and the buffer tank forming member 8 by elastic deformation, the elastic member 21 is removed from the cassette member 5 and / or the buffer tank forming member 8. Work is simple and workability is improved.

(Third embodiment)
Next, an electrophoresis gel cassette 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as above-mentioned embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The gel cassette 30 for electrophoresis of this embodiment includes a buffer tank forming member 31 that can be attached to and detached from the cassette member 5 instead of the buffer tank forming member 8 described above. The buffer tank forming member 31 is arranged so that the outer container 32 that can accommodate the cassette member 5 and the outer container 32 are accommodated so that the outer surface of the substrate 1B (1) faces the inner bottom surface 32A of the outer container 32. And an inner container 33 placed on the cassette member 5 provided. In addition, the gel cassette 30 for electrophoresis has the elastic members 35 and 37 disposed between the buffer tank forming member 31 and the cassette member 5, and the buffer tank forming member 31 and the cassette member 5 brought close to each other. Holding means 38 for holding in a state.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the outer container 32 of the buffer tank forming member 31 has a rectangular container shape with an open top, and the outer shape in the energizing direction E and the width direction W is the outer shape of the cassette member 5. The cassette member 5 can be accommodated. Moreover, the center part of the energizing direction E in a pair of inner wall surfaces which face the width direction W among the surrounding walls of the outer container 32 is recessed more than each other part, and is set as the fitting recessed part 34.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the outer shape of the outer container 32 in the thickness direction T is set larger than the outer shape of the cassette member 5. A belt-like elastic member 35 extending in the width direction W is disposed between the inner bottom surface 32A of the outer container 32 and the outer surface of the base material 1B of the cassette member 5 accommodated in the outer container 32. ing. By arranging the elastic member 35 in this way, a flat rectangular space formed between the base material 1B and the inner bottom surface 32A is liquid-tightly divided into one side and the other side in the energizing direction E. Has been. A plurality of elastic members 35 may be arranged at intervals in the energizing direction E.

  Further, in FIG. 10A, the inner container 33 of the buffer tank forming member 31 has a rectangular container shape with an upper portion opened, and extends in the width direction W. The outer shape of the inner container 33 in the energizing direction E is set to be smaller than that of the outer container 32. With the inner container 33 housed in the outer container 32, one side of the inner container 33 in the energizing direction E (FIG. 10). The first opening 3 of the cassette member 5 is arranged on the left side in (a) and the first buffer tank 6 is formed, and the other side in the energization direction E of the inner container 33 (right side in FIG. 10A). The second opening 4 of the cassette member 5 is disposed in the second buffer tank 7.

  Further, the outer shape of the inner container 33 in the width direction W is set to be substantially the same as the distance between the pair of fitting recesses 34 of the outer container 32, and both end portions in the width direction W of the inner container 33 are fitted convexly. The portion 36 can be fitted into the fitting recess 34.

  Thus, the inner container 33 is fitted to the outer container 32 by fitting the fitting convex part 36 and the fitting concave part 34 together. In addition, the fitting convex portion 36 and the fitting concave portion 34 are fitted, whereby the outer container 32 and the inner container 33 are held in a state of being brought close to the cassette member 5. In other words, in this embodiment, the fitting portion 38 including the fitting convex portion 36 and the fitting concave portion 34 is the holding means 38.

10B, a belt-like elastic member extending in the width direction W is formed between the outer bottom surface 33A of the inner container 33 and the outer surface of the base member 1A of the cassette member 5 accommodated in the outer container 32. A member 37 is provided. By arranging the elastic member 37 in this way, the space formed between the base material 1A and the outer bottom surface 33A is liquid-tightly divided on one side and the other side in the energizing direction E. In the outer container 32, the first buffer tank 6 located on the one side of the inner container 33 and the second buffer tank 7 located on the other side are partitioned in a liquid-tight manner. A plurality of elastic members 37 may be arranged at intervals in the energizing direction E.
Further, during electrophoresis, for example, cooling water is stored in the inner container 33.

  According to the gel cassette 30 for electrophoresis according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained. That is, since the cassette member 5 is accommodated in the outer container 32, the first buffer tank 6 and the second buffer tank 6, which are partitioned by the outer container 32 and the inner container 33 and in which the first opening 3 of the cassette member 5 is disposed. Even if the buffer solution leaks from one of the second buffer tanks 7 in which the openings 4 are arranged to the other, for example, this buffer solution is transferred to the outside of the gel cassette 30 for electrophoresis. There is no leakage. Therefore, the electrophoretic device is prevented from being soiled or broken due to the leakage of the buffer solution.

  Further, when the inner container 33 is fitted into the outer container 32, the inner container 33 and the outer container 32 (that is, the buffer tank forming member 31) are brought close to the cassette member 5 via the elastic members 37 and 35. Therefore, the inner container 33 and the outer container 32 can be easily fixed relative to each other, and their relative positioning can be performed with high accuracy.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the cassette member 5 used in the electrophoresis gel cassette 30 of the present embodiment is similar to the electrophoresis gel cassettes 10 and 20 described above. The first opening 3 and the second opening 4 are respectively formed at one end and the other end in the energizing direction E on the outer surface, but the shape of the cassette member 5 and the first opening 3 are the same. The arrangement and number of the second openings 4 are not limited to the illustrated example.

12A to 12D show modified examples of the cassette member 5.
In the example shown in FIG. 12A, the first opening 3 and the second opening are formed at one end (the left end in FIG. 12) and the other end (the right end in FIG. 12) in the energizing direction E on the outer surface of the substrate 1A. The opening 4 is formed, and in addition, a surface facing the one side (left side in FIG. 12) in the energizing direction E is opened on the outer surface of the cassette member 5 to expose the gel 2 to the outside. It is part 3. That is, in the illustrated example, two first openings 3 are formed at one end of the cassette member 5, and these first openings 3 are opened in the thickness direction T and the energization direction E, respectively. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 12B, two first openings 3 are formed at one end of the cassette member 5 as in FIG. Moreover, the surface which faces the other side (right side in FIG. 12) of the energizing direction E on the outer surface of the cassette member 5 is opened, thereby forming a second opening 4 that exposes the gel 2 to the outside. In this example, only one second opening 4 is formed at the other end of the cassette member 5, and the second opening 4 is not formed on the outer surface of the base 1A.

  Moreover, in the example shown in FIG.12 (c), the one end part of the base material 1B is protruded and formed in the said one side rather than the one end part of the base material 1A, and between the one end parts of these base materials 1A and 1B A first opening 3 is formed between them. That is, the first opening 3 is opened in the thickness direction T and the energization direction E, and the end portion of the gel 2 filled between the base materials 1A and 1B is similarly formed in the thickness direction T and It is exposed in the energizing direction E. Moreover, the 2nd opening part 4 is opened and formed toward the other side of the electricity supply direction E similarly to FIG.12 (b). In this example, the first and second openings 3 and 4 are not formed on the outer surface of the substrate 1A.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12D, a surface facing the one side in the energizing direction E is opened on the outer surface of the cassette member 5 to form the first opening 3 that exposes the gel 2 to the outside. In addition, a surface facing the other side of the energizing direction E is opened on the outer surface of the cassette member 5 to form a second opening 4 that exposes the gel 2 to the outside. In this example, the first and second openings 3 and 4 are not formed on the outer surface of the substrate 1A.

  Thus, the shape of the cassette member 5 and the arrangement and number of the first and second openings 3 and 4 can be variously set. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the buffer tank forming member 31 is combined with the cassette member 5 described with reference to FIG. In the illustrated example, a gap is provided between both end portions of the cassette member 5 facing the energizing direction E and the peripheral wall of the outer container 32. These gaps are working spaces and are provided to sufficiently supply the buffer solution to the exposed portion of the gel 2.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, an electrophoresis gel cassette 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as above-mentioned embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The electrophoresis gel cassette 40 of the present embodiment is different from the above-described electrophoresis gel cassette 30 in the arrangement and shape of the inner container 33 with respect to the outer container 32. In the electrophoresis gel cassette 40, the inner container 33 is disposed at the other end portion (the right end portion in FIG. 14) in the energization direction E in the outer container 32. In addition, a hole 33 </ b> B having a rectangular shape larger than the second opening 4 is formed at the bottom of the inner container 33. The inside of the inner container 33 is the second buffer tank 7, and the first buffer tank 6 is formed on one side of the inner container 33 in the energization direction E in the outer container 32.

  A pair of elastic members 37 are arranged between the outer bottom surface 33A of the inner container 33 and the outer surface of the base member 1A of the cassette member 5 accommodated in the outer container 32 so as to sandwich the hole 33B in the energization direction E. It is installed. In the present embodiment, the elastic member 35 is not disposed between the inner bottom surface 32A of the outer container 32 and the outer surface of the base member 1B of the cassette member 5.

  According to the gel cassette for electrophoresis 40 according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. In the present embodiment, the inner container 33 is disposed on the second opening 4 of the cassette member 5 and forms the second buffer tank 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. That is, the inner container 33 may be disposed on the first opening 3 of the cassette member 5 and the first buffer tank 6 may be formed.

FIG. 15 shows a modification of the electrophoresis gel cassette 40.
In the example shown in the figure, two inner containers 33 are arranged at intervals in the energization direction E, and the inner container 33 located on one side (left side in FIG. 15) of the energization direction E among these inner containers 33. Is disposed on the first opening 3 to form a first buffer tank 6. Further, an inner container 33 located on the other side (right side in FIG. 15) in the energizing direction E is disposed on the second opening 4 to form the second buffer tank 7. In this case, for example, cooling water is stored between the pair of inner containers 33 in the outer container 32 during electrophoresis.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, an electrophoresis gel cassette 50 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as above-mentioned embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The gel cassette 50 for electrophoresis of this embodiment includes a buffer tank forming member 51 that can be attached to and detached from the cassette member 5 instead of the buffer tank forming members 8 and 31 described above. The buffer tank forming member 51 includes a first buffer tank 6 in which the first opening 3 is disposed and a second buffer tank 7 in which the second opening 4 is disposed separately.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the buffer tank forming member 51 includes containers 52 and 53 placed on the base material 1 </ b> A of the cassette member 5 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the energization direction E. Among these containers 52 and 53, the container 52 located on one side in the energizing direction E (left side in FIG. 16) is disposed on the first opening 3 to form the first buffer tank 6. Further, the container 53 located on the other side (right side in FIG. 16) in the energizing direction E is disposed on the second opening 4 to form the second buffer tank 7.

  A hole 52 </ b> B having a rectangular shape larger than the first opening 3 is formed at the bottom of the container 52. In addition, a hole 53 </ b> B having a rectangular shape larger than the second opening 4 is formed at the bottom of the container 53. A pair of elastic members 37 is disposed between the outer bottom surface 52A of the container 52 and the outer surface of the base member 1A of the cassette member 5 so as to sandwich the hole 52B in the energizing direction E. A pair of elastic members 37 are disposed between the outer bottom surface 53A of the container 53 and the outer surface of the base member 1A of the cassette member 5 so as to sandwich the hole 53B in the energization direction E. Further, although not particularly illustrated, the electrophoresis gel cassette 50 includes holding means for holding the buffer tank forming member 51 and the cassette member 5 in a state of being brought close to each other. Note that the adhesive member 12 described above may be used instead of the elastic member 37 and the holding means.

According to the gel cassette for electrophoresis 50 according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Further, in this case, when the electrophoresis gel cassette 50 is mounted on the electrophoresis apparatus, positioning (positioning in the energization direction E and the width direction W) can be performed with the cassette member 5 having a good external accuracy, so that the first-dimensional electrical The connection position between the electrophoresis and the second-dimensional electrophoresis is preferably set with high accuracy.
In the present embodiment, a hole 52B larger than the first opening 3 is formed at the bottom of the container 52, and a hole 53B larger than the second opening 4 is formed at the bottom of the container 53. However, it is not limited to this.

FIG. 17 shows a modification of the electrophoresis gel cassette 50.
In the illustrated example, instead of forming holes 52B and 53B in the bottoms of the containers 52 and 53 of the buffer tank forming member 51, holes 52C and 53C are formed in the walls 52 and 53 facing each other in the energizing direction E. Each is formed. The holes 52C and 53C have a rectangular shape through which the cassette member 5 can penetrate in the energizing direction E, and between the hole 52C and the cassette member 5 inserted therein, and between the hole 53C and the cassette inserted therein. Between the members 5, rectangular frame-shaped seal members 54 are respectively disposed.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, an electrophoresis gel cassette 60 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as above-mentioned embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The electrophoresis gel cassette 60 of the present embodiment includes a buffer tank forming member 61 that can be attached to and detached from the cassette member 5 in place of the buffer tank forming members 8, 31, 51 described above. The buffer tank forming member 61 is placed on the base material 1A of the cassette member 5 via the elastic member 37 (or the adhesive member 12), and the first buffer tank 6 in which the first opening 3 is disposed. And a second buffer tank 7 in which the second opening 4 is disposed. And these 1st, 2nd buffer tanks 6 and 7 are arrange | positioned adjacently via the wall part 61B of the buffer tank formation member 61. As shown in FIG.

  According to the gel cassette for electrophoresis 60 according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the electrophoresis gel cassettes 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 are arranged in the electrophoresis apparatus including the two-dimensional electrophoresis apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as arrange | positioning to the electrophoresis apparatus provided with SDS-PAGE single structure instead of a thing. In this case, when the gel 2 is filled between the base materials 1, the gel solution is filled in a state where a comb for creating a well is inserted into one of the first and second openings 3 and 4. .

  In addition, you may combine the component of above-mentioned embodiment of this invention suitably. In addition, the above-described components can be replaced with well-known components without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base material 1A One base material 1B Other base materials 2 Gel 3 1st opening part 4 2nd opening part 5 Cassette member 6 1st buffer tank 7 2nd buffer tank 8, 31, 51, 61 Buffer tank formation member 9 Concave part 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 Gel cassette for electrophoresis 11 Vent 12 Adhesive member 13 Batch container 21, 35, 37 Elastic member 22 Holding means 32 Outer container 32A Inner bottom surface of outer container 33 Inner container 38 Fitting part (holding means)
E Current direction T Thickness direction

Claims (12)

A pair of base materials that are formed in a plate shape and are opposed to each other at an interval in the thickness direction, a gel that is filled between the pair of base materials, and one side in the energization direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base materials A cassette member having a first opening that exposes the gel and a second opening that exposes the gel on the other side of the energization direction of the substrate;
A first buffer tank in which the first opening is disposed, and a buffer tank forming member that forms a second buffer tank that is partitioned from the first buffer tank and in which the second opening is disposed,
The buffer tank forming member is detachable from the cassette member ,
Of the pair of base materials, one of the first opening and the second opening is formed at an end portion of the energization direction on the outer surface of one base material.
Of the pair of base materials, a concave portion is formed at a portion corresponding to an end portion in the energizing direction on the outer surface of the other base material so as to recede from the outer surface in the thickness direction. Gel cassette for electrophoresis. A pair of base materials that are formed in a plate shape and are opposed to each other at an interval in the thickness direction, a gel that is filled between the pair of base materials, and one side in the energization direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base materials A cassette member having a first opening that exposes the gel and a second opening that exposes the gel on the other side of the energization direction of the substrate;
A first buffer tank in which the first opening is disposed, and a buffer tank forming member that forms a second buffer tank that is partitioned from the first buffer tank and in which the second opening is disposed,
The buffer tank forming member is detachable from the cassette member ,
The electrophoresis gel cassette according to claim 1, wherein at least one or more vent holes are formed in the cassette member so as to communicate between the pair of base materials and the outside . A pair of base materials that are formed in a plate shape and are opposed to each other at an interval in the thickness direction, a gel that is filled between the pair of base materials, and one side in the energization direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base materials A cassette member having a first opening that exposes the gel and a second opening that exposes the gel on the other side of the energization direction of the substrate;
A first buffer tank in which the first opening is disposed, and a buffer tank forming member that forms a second buffer tank that is partitioned from the first buffer tank and in which the second opening is disposed,
The buffer tank forming member is detachable from the cassette member ,
The buffer tank forming member is:
An outer container capable of accommodating the cassette member;
An inner container housed in the outer container and placed on the cassette member disposed so that the outer surface of the base material faces the inner bottom surface of the outer container. Gel cassette for electrophoresis. It is a gel cassette for electrophoresis according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The gel cassette for electrophoresis, wherein the buffer tank forming member is attached to the cassette member via an adhesive member. It is a gel cassette for electrophoresis according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An elastic member disposed between the buffer tank forming member and the cassette member;
A gel cassette for electrophoresis, comprising: holding means for holding the buffer tank forming member and the cassette member in a state of being brought close to each other. The gel cassette for electrophoresis according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
Electrophoresis gel cassette, wherein electrodes are respectively provided in the first buffer tank and the second buffer tank of the buffer tank forming member. The gel cassette for electrophoresis according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The gel cassette for electrophoresis, wherein the substrate is an insulator made of at least one of a glass material and a resin material. The gel cassette for electrophoresis according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
2. The electrophoresis gel cassette according to claim 1, wherein the buffer tank forming member integrally includes the first buffer tank and the second buffer tank. The gel cassette for electrophoresis according to any one of claims 3 to 8 ,
The gel container for electrophoresis, wherein the inner container is fitted into the outer container. It is a gel cassette for electrophoresis according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The gel cassette for electrophoresis, wherein the base material and the buffer tank forming member are produced by either injection molding or vacuum molding. It is a gel cassette for electrophoresis as described in any one of Claims 4 and 6-10 ,
Of the outer surface of the substrate, a region including at least one of the first opening and the second opening is sealed with a peelable sealing member,
The electrophoretic gel cassette, wherein the sealing member is affixed to the outer surface via the adhesive member, and is peeled off from the outer surface to expose the adhesive member in an adhesive manner. A pair of base materials that are formed in a plate shape and are opposed to each other at an interval in the thickness direction, a gel that is filled between the pair of base materials, and one side in the energization direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base materials A cassette member having a first opening that exposes the gel and a second opening that exposes the gel on the other side of the energization direction of the substrate;
A first buffer tank in which the first opening is disposed, and a buffer tank forming member that is partitioned from the first buffer tank and forms a second buffer tank in which the second opening is disposed. A method for producing a gel cassette for electrophoresis, comprising:
The buffer tank forming member is detachable from the cassette member,
With the buffer tank forming member removed from the cassette member, a plurality of cassette members are accommodated in a batch-type container, and a sol-like gel solution is allowed to flow into the batch-type container. A filling step of filling the gel solution between the materials;
An attachment step of attaching the buffer tank forming member to the cassette member. A method for producing an electrophoresis gel cassette, comprising:

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