
If the molecule of interest is in the original mixture, it will “light" up and reveal itself. The secondary antibody is usually linked to an enzyme which, in the presence of the right reagent, catalyzes a reaction that produces a signal (color or light) indicating where the antibody is bound.

The bound antibody can then be targeted by another antibody specific for the first antibody. For a protein, it would typically involve an antibody that specifically binds to the protein of interest. For DNA/RNA, that might be a complementary nucleic acid sequence that is labeled in some fashion (radioactivity or dye). Last, a visualizing agent specific for the molecule of interest in the mixture is added to the membrane. Northern blotting technique is an analytical technique used in biology and chemistry to detect specific RNA from a mixture of RNAs. The membrane may be treated to covalently link the bands to the surface of the blot. It involves the following steps: Firstly, large weighted DNA is cut into small fragments by using Restriction endonucleases. This method is used for analysis of DNA sequences. ‘Editor’s note’: Indicate whether any protocol steps or sub-steps would be better illustrated by video (please also provide step or sub-step number e.g. The RNA is then transferred to a nylon membrane while keeping the same distribution in the gel. The transfer can be accomplished by diffusion or by using an electrical current to move the molecules from the gel onto the membrane. Southern blotting is named after Edward M. Northern blot first uses denaturing gel to separate RNA according to the size. Swirl the tray in order to sink the membrane fully in the stain. Optional step: verify protein transfer by Ponceau staining the membrane or Coomassie staining the gel.

This “blot", as it is called, has an imprint of the bands of nucleic acid or protein that were in the gel (see figure at left). Remove the membrane from the cassette and wash three times in DDH 2 O. Second, after the gel run is complete, the proteins or nucleic acids in the gel are transferred out of the gel onto a membrane/paper that physically binds to the molecules. The mixture could be DNA (Southern Blot), RNA ( Nothern Blot), or protein ( Western Blot) and the gel could be agarose (for DNA/RNA) or polyacrylamide (for protein). The Northern blotting procedure is straightforward and provides opportunities to evaluate progress at various points (e.g., integrity of the RNA sample and how efficiently it has transferred to the membrane). First, the mixture of molecules is separated by gel electrophoresis. \)īlotting provides a means of identifying specific molecules out of a mixture.
