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Invitrogen™ Mini Blot Module
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Catalog No. B1000
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Catalog No. B1000 Supplier Invitrogen™ Supplier No. LSB1000

Description

Includes

Bolt Mini Blot Module with Gasket; Blotting Sponge Pads (4); Blotting Tweezer; Blotting Roller

Wet transfer device used exclusively with the Bolt Minigel Tank

The Bolt Minigel Tank accommodates one blot module per chamber, or two blot modules total with the side-by-side layout. The Bolt Mini Blot Module is compatible with Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels and accommodates one gel per wet transfer. The universal connection and molded gasket make the blot module easy to use, while the inner core of the blot module allows for use of less methanol-based transfer buffer per wet transfer. At recommended conditions and constant voltage, proteins can be transferred to nitrocellulose or PVDF membranes typically in 30 to 60 minutes.

  • Capacity: ≤ 2 Blot Modules/Minigel Tank, 1 Minigel/Blot Module

About Bolt Bis-Tris Plus Gels

  • Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels are precast polyacrylamide gels designed for optimal separation of small- to medium-sized proteins under denaturing conditions
  • Similar to NuPAGE™ Bis-Tris gels, Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels are designed to deliver consistent gel performance and provide a neutral pH environment that minimizes protein modifications
  • Bolt gels are ideal for Western blot transfer and analysis, and any other techniques where protein integrity is crucial; also use Bolt gels to obtain optimal results for day-to-day protein separation needs
  • Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels come in four gel types and multiple well formats
  • Each box contains 10 gels
  • Bolt Mini Gel Tank is required for use of all Bolt gels

1D Gel Electrophoresis, Protein Gel Electrophoresis, Proteins, Expression, Isolation and Analysis, Western Blotting

Specifications

Content And Storage Mini Blot Module
Blotting Tweezer
Blotting Roller
4 Blotting Sponges
Capacity ≤2 Blot Modules/Mini-Gel Tank, 1 Mini-Gel/Blot Module
For Use With (Application) Wet Transfer
For Use With (Equipment) Mini Gel Tank
Gel Compatibility Mini Precast Protein Gels
Gel Size Mini (8 x 8 cm)
Membrane Compatibility Nitrocellulose, PVDF
Mode of Transfer Wet
Type Blot Module
Quantity 1 unit
Running Dimension Vertical
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I prepare my protein sample with the reducing agent and store it for future use?

DTT is not stable, so it must be added and the reduction performed just prior to loading your samples.
My LDS or SDS sample buffer precipitates when stored at 4 degrees C. Can I warm it up? Can I store it at room temperature?

Precipitation of the LDS or SDS at 4 degrees C is normal. Bring the buffer to room temperature and mix until the LDS/SDS goes into solution. If you do not want to wait for it to dissolve, you can store the sample buffer at room temperature.
What are the storage conditions for Bolt gels?

Similar to NuPAGE gels with storage temperatures of 4 to 25 degrees C.
What is the shelf life for Bolt gels?

The shelf life for Bolt gels is similar to that for NuPAGE gels: 12 months from the date of shipment.
How are Bolt gels different than NuPAGE gels?

While they are both Bis-Tris based gels, the chemistries are very different since Bolt gels are optimized for western blotting. Another key difference is the wedge well design of the Bolt gels, which allows larger sample volumes to be loaded.
Which power supplies are compatible with the Mini Gel Tank?

The most common power supplies from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bio-Rad, and Hoefer are compatible. Also, power supply adapters are available for power supplies not designed for use with covered or non-retractable power leads. Thermo Fisher Owl branded gel tanks are not compatible
Are Bolt gels compatible with transfer devices from other suppliers?

Yes. While we would prefer that you use our devices, Bolt gels can also be transferred using devices from Bio-Rad, including the Mini Trans-Blot Cell, Trans-Blot SD Semi-Dry Transfer Cell, or Trans-Blot Turbo Transfer System.
Are Bolt gels compatible with other transfer devices?

Yes. You can use the iBlot Dry Transfer System or XCell II Blot Module with SureLock tank and achieve similar transfer efficiency.
I am transferring a Tris-Glycine gel using constant voltage and the current reading is way over the expected starting current. Can you offer some suggestions?

The most common cause of abnormally high current is the transfer buffer. If the transfer buffer is too concentrated, this leads to increased conductivity and current. High current may also occur if Tris-HCl is accidentally substituted for the Tris base required in the transfer buffer. This will again result in low buffer pH and lead to increased conductivity and current and subsequently, overheating. We recommend checking the transfer buffer and its reagent components and re-diluting or remaking the buffer.
I ran my protein under native conditions on a Tris-Glycine gel. It has a pI that is higher than the pH of the Tris-Glycine transfer buffer. Can you offer some tips for transferring it?

- Increase the pH of Tris-Glycine transfer buffer to 9.2, allowing all the proteins below pI 9.2 to transfer towards the anode electrode.
- Use the Tris-Glycine transfer buffer and place a membrane on both sides of the gel. If there are any proteins that are more basic than the pH of the transfer buffer, they will be captured on the extra membrane placed on the cathode side of the gel. Both membranes can then be developed in the same manner.
- Prior to blotting, incubate the gel for 15 minutes in Tris-Glycine transfer buffer containing 0.1% SDS. The small amount of SDS will give the proteins enough charge to move unidirectionally towards the anode and in most cases, should not denature the protein. Proceed with the transfer using regular Tris-Glycine transfer buffer.

I had problems transferring my larger-molecular weight proteins from my NuPAGE gel. Can you please offer some suggestions?

For proteins larger than 100 kDa, we recommend pre-equilibrating the gel in 2X NuPAGE Transfer buffer (without methanol) containing 0.02-0.04% SDS for 10 minutes before assembling the sandwich and then transferring using 1X NuPAGE transfer buffer containing methanol and 0.01% SDS.
What causes empty spots on my membrane after transfer?

Here are possible causes and solutions:

- Presence of air bubbles between the gel and the membrane preventing the transfer of proteins. Be sure to remove all air bubbles between the gel and membrane by rolling a glass pipette over the membrane surface.
- Expired or creased membranes used. Use fresh, undamaged membranes.

I performed a western transfer and see the appearance of diffuse bands and swirling patterns on the membrane. What could have happened?

The swirling and diffuse banding patterns are typical of molecules moving laterally before binding to the membrane during transfer. Here are possible causes and solutions:

- Poor contact between the gel and the membrane: The gel should be attached to the membrane through capillary action. To ensure that this happens, make sure that you roll over the surface of each layer of the gel/membrane sandwich with a glass pipette to ensure good contact between the gel and the membrane. It is helpful to use a disposable pipette to place some extra transfer buffer on the surface of each layer as the sandwich is being made. Also, the pads need to be fully saturated (push down with gloved hand when they are placed in transfer buffer to make sure there are no air bubbles.)
- Under-compression of the gel: The gel/membrane assembly should be held securely between the two halves of the blot module. Try adding another pad or replace any pads that have lost their resiliency with fresh ones.
- Over-compression of the gel: A good indication of over-compression is if the gel has been excessively flattened. In the event that the sandwich is over-compressed, remove enough pads so that the blotter can be closed without exerting excess pressure on the gel and membrane.
Note: The height of the uncompressed pads should be 0.5-1.0 cm above the level of the sealing gasket.

When I perform a western transfer, the power supply shuts off in the middle of the transfer. What is wrong?

Here are possible causes and solutions:

- High ionic strength of the transfer buffer. Prepare the buffer as described in the manual.
- Power supply is operating at a current close to the current limit of the power supply. Use a power supply with higher limits.

After a western transfer, I noticed that a significant amount of protein remained in the gel indicated by staining of the gel after transfer. What should I do?

Here are possible causes and solutions:

- Too short a transfer time: Increase the blotting time by 15 minute increments.
- Inappropriate gel type: Check the percentage of the gel used and switch to a higher percentage gel.
- Inappropriate amount of SDS: Add 0.01-0.02% SDS to the transfer buffer to facilitate migration of the protein out of the gel.
- Inappropriate methanol content: Decrease the amount of methanol in the transfer buffer.
Note: Higher molecular weight proteins usually do not transfer completely as compared to mid to low molecular weight proteins.
After a western transfer, I noticed that a significant amount of protein had passed through the membrane indicated by the presence of proteins on the second membrane. Can you please help?

Here are possible causes and solutions:

- Too long a transfer tim: Shorten the transfer time by 15 minute increments.
- Inappropriate amount of SDS: Do not include any SDS in the transfer buffer.
- Inappropriate methanol content: Add additional methanol to the transfer buffer to increase the binding capacity of the membrane.
- Inappropriate gel type: Check the percentage of the gel used and switch to a higher percentage gel.
- Sample overloaded: Decrease the sample load.
- Finally, if using nitrocellulose membrane, switch to PVDF which has a higher binding capacity.

I performed a western transfer and none of my proteins transferred to the membrane. Can you offer some tips?

It is possible that the gel/membrane sandwich was assembled in the reverse direction such that the proteins have migrated out into the buffer. Assemble the blot sandwich in the correct order using instructions provided in the manual.
During western transfer conditions using constant voltage, what would cause the actual current to greatly exceed the expected starting current?

The most common cause of abnormally high current is the buffer. If the buffer is too concentrated, this leads to increased conductivity and higher current. High current may also occur if Tris-HCl was accidentally substituted for the Tris base required in the transfer buffer. Tris-HCl results in a low buffer pH and leads to increased conductivity and current, and, subsequently, overheating. Check the transfer buffer and its reagent components, re-dilute, or remake the buffer.
I am transferring my gel using constant voltage and the current reading has dropped much lower than the expected starting current. What could have happened?

Here are possible causes and solutions:

- The buffer was accidentally made too dilute, therefore increasing resistance and thus lowering conductivity and current: Check the transfer buffer and its reagent components and then re-dilute it or remake it.
- The circuit is broken or impeded, as in the case of a corroded or broken electrode or malfunctioning power supply: Check the equipment.
- There is a leak in the blot module (this is indicated by a drastic decrease in current and in buffer volume within the module): Ensure that the inner buffer chamber is filled sufficiently so that the wells are covered with buffer.
- Tape at the bottom of the gel cassette was not removed: Double check that the tape on the bottom of the gel has been removed.
Are the recommended run conditions for the Mini Blot Module different for nitrocellulose versus PVDF membrane?

We recommend transferring for 60 minutes at 10 volts with nitrocellulose and 20 volts with PVDF. An optional faster transfer for 30-45 minutes at 15 volts can be used, but a slight loss of sensitivity may be observed.
How much methanol is required per transfer when using the Mini Blot Module and Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels?

We recommend using 1x Bolt Transfer buffer with 10% methanol.
Is liquid needed to cool the Mini Blot Module during a run?

No. However, we recommend adding water to the Mini Gel Tank to help dissipate any heat that may be generated during transfer.
How much transfer buffer is required when using the Mini Blot Module?

Typically, 200-250 mL of 1X transfer buffer is needed per module which is 2-4 times less than with other transfer devices.
Is the Mini Blot Module compatible with other electrophoresis tanks?

The Mini Blot Module is designed exclusively for the Mini Gel Tank. It will also fit in the Bolt Mini Gel Tank (discontinued as of December 31, 2014) but will not fit in the XCell SureLock Mini Cell or other vendors' electrophoresis tanks.
How do I know which side of the Mini Gel Tank I put each Mini Blot Module in?

Due to the universal electrode design, the Mini Blot Module fits on either side of the Mini Gel Tank.
How many gels can I transfer using one Mini Blot Module?

We recommend transferring a single gel per blot module.
How many sponge pads do you recommend using for transfer of Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels using the Mini Blot Module?

We recommend using 2 sponge pads to start with. If the sponge pads become thinner with extended use, then an additional sponge pad can be used.
Can I purchase replacement parts for the Mini Blot Module?

Here are the replacement parts we offer for the Mini Blot Module:

- Mini Blot Module Gasket, Cat. No. B1001
- Gel Knife, Cat. No. EI9010
- Bolt Tank Base, Cat. No. B4478640
- Gel Runner Tank, Cat. No. B4478641
- Mini Gel Tank Lid, Cat. No. A25944
- Cassette Clamp, Right, Cat. No. B4478592
- Cassette Clamp, Left, Cat. No. B4478593
- Power Supply Adapters, Cat. No. ZA10001
What are your recommendations for cleaning of the Mini Blot Module?

We recommend rinsing the blot module with deionized water after use. To clean any residual build-up in the blot module, apply 50% nitric acid in deionized water to areas inside the blot module until residual build-up is removed. Once the build-up is removed, rinse the module at least three times in deionized water. Do not submerge the blot module or soak overnight in nitric acid.

Note: Use gloves when preparing the nitric acid solution.
Is there a wet transfer blot module available for the Mini Gel Tank? Are Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels compatible with other transfer methods?

Yes, we offer the Mini Blot Module (Cat. No. B1000), designed to be used with the Mini Gel Tank. This blot module will also work with the Bolt Mini Gel Tank (discontinued as of December 31, 2014). Please note that the Bolt Mini Blot Module (discontinued as of December 31, 2014) is also compatible with both the Bolt Mini Gel Tank and the Mini Gel Tank.

Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels can also be transferred using the XCell SureLock Mini Cell, iBlot Dry transfer system, or using the Invitrogen Semi-Dry Blotter.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.