iBind™ Flex Western – Reliable automation for Western blot immunodetection
The iBind™ Flex Western from Thermo Fisher Scientific is an automated benchtop system designed to optimise protein detection on PVDF or nitrocellulose membranes using Western blot techniques. It operates without an external power supply, using innovative sequential lateral flow (SLF) technology, which allows for fully automated critical steps in the protocol: blocking, incubation with primary and secondary antibodies, and washing. This automated approach improves reproducibility and significantly reduces manual handling, which is often a source of variability.
At the heart of the system is the iBind™ Flex card, a fibreglass matrix optimised to ensure uniform flow of immunodetection solutions. The device applies calibrated mechanical pressure via a spring-loaded lid which, when closed, activates the sequential flow of solutions from dedicated wells to the positioned membrane. This configuration ensures uniform and constant interaction between antigens and antibodies, while eliminating the risk of overexposure or flow interruption.
The iBind™ Flex Western also stands out for its flexibility. It is compatible with three different inserts: Midi, Mini and Multi-Strip, each adapted to specific membrane sizes or multiple configurations (up to 6 vertical strips). This versatility makes it ideal for laboratories handling large numbers of samples or requiring antibody multiplexing.
For detection, two types of kits are available: one for chemiluminescent protocols and another for fluorescent detection, each providing optimised performance depending on the type of antibody used. The system also allows the use of conjugated antibodies, eliminating the secondary step if necessary.
The device is designed for ease of use and to simplify the workflow: an integrated drawer provides storage for inserts, wells are clearly identified to avoid loading errors, and a marking roller ensures good contact between the membrane and the card. The system can operate autonomously for over 2.5 hours, even allowing for unattended overnight incubation. In addition, the membranes can be reused after deprotection, although this step must be performed outside the device.
The iBind™ Flex Western is a valuable tool for laboratories seeking precision, standardisation and efficiency. It eliminates manual washing steps, reduces the volumes of reagents required and improves the overall quality of Western blot results, even in high-throughput environments.
