Sounds Great in Theory, Yet Fails to Satisfy

University of Wisconsin
Medical Physics
Postdoctoral Fellow

Overall

Performance

Ease-of-Optimization

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Company:

EMD Millipore

Product Name:

SNAP i.d. 2.0 Protein Detection System

Catalog Number:

SNAP2MINI

We are constantly performing western blots in my lab trying to find new biomarkers for molecular imaging purposes. We were told that this instrument can drastically reduce the time needed for blocking, primary antibody incubation, and secondary antibody incubations.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

Western blot

Starting Material

Nitrocellulose membrane with protein, blocking agent (LiCor PBS Blocking Solution), Membrane Inserts

Protocol Overview

After you have transferred the protein to nitrocellulose membrane, place the membrane into the membrane holder. Place the membrane holder into the instrument chamber. Add blocking solution, turn on vacuum. Next, place 5 mL of primary antibody incubation for 10 min, turn on vacuum. Next, wash four-times with 30 mL wash buffer. Next, add 5 mL secondary antibody solution and allow to incubate for 10 min, turn on vacuum. Wash four-times before scanning.

Tips

I don't have any tips because we can still not get it to work.

Results Summary

We have not been able to get this instrument to work. While the vacuum works correctly, the system is not even so the antibody does not get to the entire membrane. In addition, we have tried using this system over 10-times; yet we have only had 1 western blot that slightly worked. We believe the traditional method is much better than this system.

Features Summary

This system does not contain any great features. We were hoping that it would save time.

Additional Notes

None

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Summary

The Good

System is cheap

The Bad

System does not work and shipping takes over a month.

The Bottom Line

Don't get this system....keep with the traditional methods or look into Life Technologies iBind system (we previously wrote a review on this system -- 4 stars).

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