Automated Protein-Expression Profiling System using Crude Protein Direct Blotting Method

Proteome research in the medical field is expected to accelerate the understanding of disease mechanism, and to create new diagnostic concept. For protein profiling, this paper proposes a new methodology named CPDIB (Crude Protein Direct Blotting). In the CPDIB procedure, crude protein sample is directly immobilized on a membrane and the expression of protein molecules in the sample are analyzed quantitatively by using a special device called ImmobiChip, where the membrane is used as a field of the immune reaction. The over-all structure of the ImmobiChip is based on the conventional Slot blot device. Mechanical improvement in the air-tightness of the case holding the membrane realizes the direct blotting and results in high performance of stability in the immune reaction. In the measurement of multiple proteins, a dispensing robot is used for increasing the efficiency of handling of liquid. Cooperation of the dispensing robot with the ImmobiChip for immobilizing proteins realizes automated and stable performance of the CPDIB procedure. This paper shows the evaluation of the air-tightness of the ImmobiChip, the ability of analyzing proteins using the CPDIB procedure and the performance of the automated equipment.