APPARATUS FOR THE HANDLING OF ELECTROPHORETIC TRANSFER MEMBRANES AND FOR THE CHEMILUMINESCENT DETECTION OF BLOTS CONTAINED THEREON, AND PROCESSES USING THE APPARATUS

摘要

Improved apparatus for the handling and detecting of an electrophorectic transfer membrane is disclosed herein, the improvement comprising guide apparatus designed to accomodate the transfert membrane, a pressure head positioned relative to the guide apparatus to releasably engage the membrane, and light shielding apparatus positioned relative to the guide apparatus to selectively enclose about the transfer membrane. The apparatus is operated so that the pressure head engages a flexible portion of the transfer membrane containing an electrophoretic blot while it is in a position appropriate for detection. There is also disclosed herein a process for utilizing the apparatus of the invention. In the process drying and optionally heating of the membrane where the blot has been contacted with enzyme-triggered 1,2-dioxetanes, to enhance the resulting chemiluminescent signal, is disclosed.