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Explore Bandmate Western Blot Processor capabilities for programmable antibody incubation and washing to support standardized membrane processing, improved workflow consistency, and reduced hands-on time compared to traditional western blot processing.
Explore the western blot workflow
Bandmate western blot processor for automating antibody incubation and washing
Western blot processing includes membrane blocking, antibody incubation, and washing steps prior to detection.
The Invitrogen Bandmate Western Blot Processor standardizes these steps through programmable control of incubation and washing steps, helping reduce hands-on time while improving consistency across experiments.
Designed for laboratories that prioritize reproducibility and workflow efficiency, the Bandmate system enables consistent, system-controlled membrane processing—supporting reliable results.
What is the Bandmate western blot processing system?
The Bandmate system is a programmable western blot processing system that performs membrane blocking, antibody incubation, and washing steps using pre-programmed or customizable protocols. By controlling incubation timing, reagent delivery, and washing conditions, the Bandmate processor helps reduce variability in western blot workflows.
Bandmate western blot processor
Bandmate is designed for laboratories that prioritize programmable control, reproducibility, and scalability.
The Bandmate system is best suited for:
- Programmable membrane processing with customizable incubation and washing conditions
- Processing multiple blots or experiments
- Shared labs or labs with high-throughput processing needs
- Maintaining existing or optimizing western blot protocols and reagents
- Recovering antibodies to help conserve valuable reagents
Choose Bandmate for programmable control, scalable workflows, antibody recovery, and flexibility within existing western blot protocols.
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Capacity |
Up to 4 mini blots or up to 2 midi blots per run |
Workflow control |
Fully programmable protocols |
Reagent handling |
User-defined volumes and steps |
Protocol flexibility |
Up to 9 steps; customizable workflows |
Operating range |
4°C–40°C |
For a simple, hands-free workflow with minimal setup, consider the iBind western blot system, which uses passive sequential lateral flow technology.
Bandmate workflow advantages
- Consistent, reproducible results—programmable incubation and washing reduces variability between runs and users
- Reduced hands-on time—system-controlled processing minimizes manual steps
- Scalable workflows—supports consistent processing across multiple blots and experiments
- Protocol flexibility—compatible with existing western blot protocols and reagents
- Antibody recovery—enables collection and reuse of antibodies to help reduce reagent costs
- Efficient antibody usage—curved tray design helps reduce required antibody volume by up to 65% (3.5 mL vs. 10 mL)
Bandmate western blot processing system requires minimal effort to set up the processing of up to four blots using your current reagents and protocols (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The Bandmate western blot processor automates key membrane processing steps in western blot workflows, freeing up time to reinvest in other important tasks and activities. The diagram compares example workflows for manual western blot processing (top) versus automated membrane processing (bottom) where timing of each step varies depending on the end-user protocol. The Bandmate western blot processor can save approximately 20 minutes compared to manual processing. The time savings are associated with automation of multiple steps which helps prevent disruption at key points, thus allowing one to focus on other efforts during the processing protocol.
* Note: Blocking buffer must be physically added to the Bandmate sample trays but is automatically drained from the trays before proceeding with the next automated primary antibody incubation step.
How does the Bandmate western blot processor work?
The Bandmate processor performs membrane blocking, antibody incubation, and washing using programmable protocols to help deliver consistent, system-controlled western blot processing. By controlling these steps through programmable protocols, Bandmate processor reduces manual variability and helps ensure consistent processing across experiments.
Figure 2. Key components of the Bandmate western blot processor. (1) reagent tubes (antibody reservoirs) (2) wash buffer tubing (3) rocker cradle (4) tray cover (5) sample tray (6) reagent slider (7) waste and recovery funnel tray (8) waste tank (compartment behind door panel).
At-a-glance workflow:
Automated membrane processing in 3 steps:
- Load reagents and membranes
- Run automated incubation and washing
- Retrieve membranes ready for detection
Automated membrane processing workflow
- Membranes are sequentially processed with blocking buffer, primary antibody, secondary antibody, and wash buffers
- Incubation times and wash cycles are controlled by pre-set or customizable protocols
- Reagents are added consistently across all samples
Supports uniform antibody binding and efficient washing.
System setup and operation
- Wash buffer is added to a reservoir for automated dispensing
- Primary and secondary antibodies are loaded into individual reagent tubes
- Membranes are placed in sample trays with blocking buffer
Once loaded, the system runs without further user input.
Reagent delivery and handling
- Reagent tubes help deliver antibodies directly to membranes during the run
- Antibodies can be collected for reuse or directed to waste
- No fixed tubing helps reduce cross-contamination
Supports consistent reagent delivery and preserves antibody integrity.
Incubation and washing control
- Controlled rocking motion helps ensure even reagent distribution
- Curved trays reduce required antibody volumes
- Automated wash cycles improve removal of unbound antibodies
- Supports antibody recovery for reuse, helping reduce reagent costs
Supports consistent membrane processing and efficient reagent use.
Flexible workflow
- Operates at room temperature or in cold room
- Supports overnight processing
- Keeps membranes in buffer after completion until detection
Fits into a wide range of western blot workflows.
Bandmate performance
The Bandmate western blot processing system is designed to free up time by automating repetitive blocking, washing, and antibody incubation steps.
Free up valuable time in the lab to focus on other important activities and experiments. The programmable Bandmate western blot processing system automatically performs the hands-on blocking, washing, and antibody incubations steps. Process 1–4 mini blots or 1–2 midi blots simultaneously to help maximize throughput. Bandmate system’s processing and collection trays are also easy to remove for quick clean-up.
With simple and reliable operation, program the timing of incubation steps as you would normally, including adjustments for:
- Dispensing volumes—up to 75 mL (for mini blots), and up to 150 mL (for midi blots); programmable with up to 10 repetitions per step
- Rocking speeds—from 5 to 40 cycles per minute
- Incubation times—from 1 minute to 96 hours for blots that may require overnight or longer incubations
- Processing temperatures—system can be placed in a 4°C cold room if necessary—no special reagents are required
The mini blots processed with the Bandmate western blot processor show comparable intensity levels across multiple probed targets compared to the blots processed with a manual processing procedure (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Comparison of mini blots processed with Invitrogen Bandmate western blot processor vs. manual processing (probing and washing steps performed in a tray and on a shaker platform). HeLa cell lysate were separated on a Novex 4-20% Tris-Glycine gel . Gels were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes using the Power Blotter System and Power Blotter Pre-cut Membranes and Filters. One set of blots (4 total) were processed using the Bandmate western blot processor and compared to another set of blots processed manually (2 total). Membranes were blocked in 1X Blocker FL Fluorescent Blocking Buffer. For fluorescence multiplex detection, the blots were probed with a mixture of primary antibodies: Mouse Anti STAT3, Chicken anti-Calreticulin, and Rabbit Anti Cyclophilin B. This was followed by an incubation with secondary antibodies: Goat anti-Mouse Alexa Fluor Plus 680, Goat anti Chicken Alexa Fluor 546 and Goat anti Rabbit DyLight 800 4XPEG. Membranes were imaged on the iBright FL1500 Imaging System.
The midi blots processed with the Bandmate western blot processing system show comparable intensity levels across multiple probed targets compared to the blots processed with a manual processing procedure (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Comparison of midi blots processed with Bandmate western blot processor versus manual processing (probing and washing steps performed in a tray and on a shaker platform). HeLa cell lysate separated on a Novex 4–20% Tris-Glycine gel. Gels were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes using the Power Blotter System and Power Blotter Select Transfer Stacks. One set of blots (2 total) was processed using the Bandmate western blot processor and was compared to another blot processed manually. Membranes were blocked in 1X Clear Milk Blocking Buffer. Blots were probed with a mixture of primary antibodies: Rabbit Anti Hsp90 and Mouse Anti PDI. This was followed by an incubation with the secondary antibodies, Stabilized Goat anti-Rabbit HRP 10 µg/mL and Stabilized Goat anti-Mouse HRP 10 µg/mL. For chemiluminescence detection, blots were incubated with Supersignal West Femto Substrate. Membranes were imaged on the iBright FL1500 Imaging System.
Maintaining the precise timing of block, wash, and antibody incubation steps can be challenging from blot-to-blot. Because the processing steps of the Bandmate system are programmable, the precision of the steps can be improved compared to manual hands-on western blot processing. With more precision, the consistency from experiment to experiment is maintained for more reliable results (Figure 5).
Figure 5. The detection of proteins is consistent from blot-to-blot when blots are processed with the Bandmate western blot processor. HeLa cell lysate were separated on a Novex 4–20% Tris-Glycine gel. Gels were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes using iBlot 2 Transfer Stacks. Four blots were processed using the Bandmate western blot processor following a preset protocol. The blots were blocked in 1X Blocker FL Fluorescent Blocking Buffer. The blots were probed with a mixture of primary antibodies: Rabbit Anti Hsp90, Chicken anti-Calreticulin, and Mouse Anti P23. This was followed by an incubation with secondary antibodies: Goat anti-Mouse Alexa Fluor Plus 680, Goat anti Chicken Alexa Fluor 546 and Goat anti Rabbit DyLight 800 4XPEG. Blots were imaged on the iBright FL1500 Imaging System.
With the Bandmate western blot processing system, one can use as little as 3.5 mL of primary and secondary antibody solutions for mini blots or 7.5 mL of primary and secondary antibody solutions for midi blots with minimal impact to detection sensitivity (Figure 6).
Figure 6. The Bandmate Western Blot Processor can be effective with as low as 3.5mL of primary antibody per mini blot or 7.5 mL per midi blot without a significant loss in sensitivity of detection. HeLa cell lysate were separated on a Bolt 4–12% Bis-Tris-Plus gel for mini gels and NuPAGE 4–12% Bis-Tris-Plus gel for midi gels. Gels were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes using the Power Blotter System and Power Blotter Select Transfer Stacks. To test primary antibody volume efficiency using the Bandmate Western Blot Processor, three different volumes of primary antibody were tested for mini blots (3.5 mL, 5 mL and 10 mL) and two volumes were tested for midi blots (7.5 mL and 15 mL). Blots were processed with adapted protocols for each volume. Blots were blocked in 1X Clear Milk Blocking Buffer. Blots were probed with a mixture of primary antibodies: Mouse Anti STAT3, Mouse Anti PDI, and Rabbit Anti Cyclophilin B. This was followed by an incubation with secondary antibody Stabilized Goat anti-Rabbit HRP 10 µg/mL and Stabilized Goat anti-Mouse HRP 10 µg/mL. For chemiluminescence detection, blots were incubated with SuperSignal West Pico Plus Substrate. Membranes were imaged on the iBright FL1500 Imaging System.
With the Bandmate western blot processing system, more than 90% of the starting antibody volume can be collected and recovered for future reuse. However, successive antibody reuses can lead to successive decreases in target detection and should be verified by the end-user (note: the impact on target detection as a result of successive antibody reuses can vary from antibody to antibody) (Figure 7).
Figure 7. The Bandmate system offers the ability to capture primary and secondary antibodies after the respective incubation steps, so the antibody solutions can be saved for reuse in future experiments. HeLa cell lysate were separated on a Bolt 4–12% Bis-Tris-Plus gel. Gels were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes using the Power Blotter System and Power Blotter Select Transfer Stacks. To test the accuracy of antibody recovery and efficiency of detection, the Bandmate western blot processor protocol was set up to recover the primary antibody, and the same antibody was used three times. Blots were blocked in 1X Clear Milk Blocking Buffer, probed with Mouse Anti PDI. This was followed by an incubation with secondary antibody Goat anti-Mouse Alexa Fluor Plus 680. Blots were imaged on the iBright FL1500 Imaging System using the same manual exposure time to show the change in sensitivity.
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Frequently asked questions
Bandmate system automates membrane blocking, antibody incubation, and washing steps to improve reproducibility and reduce hands-on time compared to traditional western blot processing.
Yes. Automated control of incubation and washing conditions reduces variability between experiments and users.
Yes. The Bandmate processor automates key processing steps, reducing manual intervention while maintaining flexibility through programmable protocols.
Bandmate system offers programmable control and higher throughput, while iBind system helps provide a simpler passive sequential lateral flow workflow with minimal setup.
Yes. The Bandmate system is designed to support scalable workflows and consistent processing across multiple blots.
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