Hydrophilic, high protein binding, low fluorescence, western blotting membrane

US8143067B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EMD Millipore Corporation · US

Inventors

• Antoni Peters · Billerica, US
• Philip Goddard · New Ipswich, US
• John Charkoudian · Billerica, US
• Neil Soice · Groton, US
• Dave Brewster · Beverly, US
• Anja Dedeo · Billerica, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 3, 2010
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 3, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/24
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Hydrophilic membrane particularly suited for blotting applications, preferably Western blotting. A pre-wet hydrophobic membrane substrate, preferably made of PVDF, is contacted with a monomer solution and subjected to a UV-initiated free radical polymerization step to render the substrate permanently hydrophilic. The resulting membrane exhibits low background fluorescence, high protein binding, excellent retention of protein sample spot morphology, and extended dynamic range (high signal-to-noise ratio, enhanced sample detectability). The membrane demonstrates comparable or higher performance in Western blotting applications than conventional nitrocellulose Western blotting membranes, particularly for protein detection at low sample concentrations, and is directly water-wettable, eliminating the need for an alcohol pre-wet step prior to use.