- Blot (biology)
In
molecular biology andgenetics , a blot is a method of transferringprotein s,DNA orRNA , onto a carrier (for example, anitrocellulose PVDF ornylon membrane). In many instances, this is done after agel electrophoresis , transferring the molecules from thegel onto the blotting membrane, and other times adding the samples directly onto the membrane. After the blotting, the transferred proteins, DNA or RNA are then visualized by one or more different methods:
* colorant staining (for example, silver staining of proteins)
* autoradiographic visualization of radioactive labelled molecules (performed before the blot)
* specific labelling of some proteins ornucleic acid s. It is done with antibodies orhybridization probe s that bind only to some molecules of the blot and have anenzyme joined to them. After proper washing, this enzymatic activity (and so, the molecules we search in the blot) is visualized by incubation with proper reactive, rendering either a colored deposit on the blot or a chemiluminiscent reaction which is registered by photographicfilm .Common blot methods are :
*Southern blot forDNA
*Northern blot forRNA
*Western blot forprotein s
*Southwestern blot
*Dot blot
*Slot blot External links
* [http://www.westernblotting.org Western Blot Protocols and Troubleshooting]
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