The invention provides a dry electroblotting system for dry blotting gels, in which the system includes an electroblotting transfer stack that comprises an analysis gel and a blotting membrane, an anode, a body of anodic gel matrix juxtaposed with the anode between the anode and the transfer stack, a cathode, and a body of cathodic gel matrix juxtaposed with the cathode between the cathode and the transfer stack, in which the anodic gel matrix and the cathodic gel matrix each comprise an ion source for electrophoretic transfer. The dry electroblotting system does not use any liquid buffers that are added to the system just before electroblotting (such as when the transfer stack is being assembled). The anode, the cathode, or both can be separate from a power supply and provided as part of a disposable electrode assembly that also includes a body of gel matrix that includes ions for electrophoretic transfer.

The present disclosure relates to fluidic systems and devices for processing, extracting, or purifying one or more analytes. These systems and devices can be used for processing samples and extracting nucleic acids, for example by isotachophoresis. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for extraction of nucleic acids, including non-crosslinked nucleic acids, from samples such as tissue or cells. The systems and devices can also be used for multiplex parallel sample processing.

An electrophoresis cassette may include sample well(s), gel column(s) containing a separation gel, and elution modules arranged adjacent the gel column(s). A sample may be provided to the electrophoresis cassette and high-molecular weight DNA may be isolated from the sample. Single-copy DNA sequences may be cleaved on both sides of a repeat region of the DNA sequences to produce a cleaved sample, which then may be fractionated using gel electrophoresis. DNA fractions may be isolated from consecutive sections of the separation gel and subjected to PCR assays to detect single-copy sequences within the DNA fraction, said single-copy sequence containing repeat expansion sequences. The subjected DNA fractions may be electroeluted into the plurality of elution modules. A size of DNA fractions having the repeat expansion sequences may be determined. It is also determined if that size is above a normal repeat size range.

Provided is a novel sample separating instrument and a novel sample analyzing device each of which can be suitably used for emission transfer. A sample separating instrument (100) for use in emission transfer includes: a separation medium (10); and a holding section (21), the holding section (21) having an opening (21b) on an end part side, the separation medium (10) having an exposed part (10b), the exposed part (10b) having extending parts (10a) which extend on respective edge parts (21a) of the holding section (21) which edge parts are located on respective both sides of the opening (21b).

The present disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for automated processing of biological samples. This disclosure provides a gel-frame cassette for an automated bioprocessing device, comprising: a gel-frame comprising: a front face, a back face, a frame comprising: two vertical side bars, each comprising a gel-frame holding hole, a top bar connecting the two vertical side bars, a bottom bar connecting the two vertical side bars and a hollow chamber enclosed by the two vertical side bars, the top bar, and the bottom bar; a front panel in contact with the front face of the gel-frame, the front panel comprising an expanded upper portion, and a back panel in contact with the back face of the gel-frame, the back panel comprising a horizontal opening at the bottom of the back panel. This disclosure also provides an automated bioprocessing machine that processes the gel-frame cassette or the gel-frame.

Electrophoretic separation methods and devices for detecting a distribution of analytes in a tissue sample are provided. The methods and devices find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications, such as tissue projection electrophoretic separation of proteins from a tissue sample, where analytes in a tissue sample can be detected to produce a map of the distribution of the analytes in the tissue sample.

Provided are devices that include a polymeric separation medium configured to immobilize one or more constituents of interest in the polymeric separation medium and have an increased pore size upon application of an applied stimulus. Systems including the devices, as well as methods of using the devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.

Methods, kits, and systems are provided for separating, immobilizing, and/or detecting analytes of one or more samples using dipsticks. A dipstick is an object that can be embedded and subsequently removed from a separation medium, and to which analytes can be immobilized while the object is embedded in the separation medium. Examples of separation media include an electrophoresis gel of any format and a stationary phase for column chromatography. Embodiments of the present methods include applying a sample to a separation medium; separating analytes of the sample in the separation medium along a separation axis; immobilizing the analytes on a dipstick embedded in the separation medium; removing the dipstick from the separation medium; and detecting the analytes immobilized on the removed dipstick.

A fluid exit passage is at a location along a microfluidic channel. A fluid displacement device is proximate the location along the microfluidic channel. A constituent locator distinguishes a target constituent in a fluid within the microfluidic channel from remaining non-target constituents and locate the target constituent proximate the fluid exit passage. A controller selectively actuates the fluid displacement device when the target constituent is proximate the fluid exit passage to discharge the target constituent from the microfluidic channel through the fluid exit passage.

An electrophoresis cassette may include sample well(s), gel column(s) containing a separation gel, and elution modules arranged adjacent the gel column(s). A sample may be provided to the electrophoresis cassette and high-molecular weight (HMW) DNA may be isolated from the sample. Single-copy DNA sequences may be cleaved on both sides of a repeat region of the DNA sequences to produce a cleaved sample, which then may be fractionated using gel electrophoresis. DNA fractions may be isolated from consecutive sections of the separation gel and subjected to PCR assays to detect single-copy sequences within the DNA fraction, said single-copy sequence containing repeat expansion sequences. The subjected DNA fractions may be electroeluted into the plurality of elution modules. A size of DNA fractions having the repeat expansion sequences may be determined. It is also determined if that size is above a normal repeat size range.