Western Blot Analysis

Synonyms

Immunoblotting, electroblotting, protein blotting.

Short Description

Western blotting is a protein analysis technique which combines protein separation in an electric field with immunochemical methods of protein detection. It is used to identify, characterize, quantify, and/or isolate proteins or antibodies present in complex biological samples. First, proteins are separated according to their molecular size and/or net charge by electrophoretic migration through three-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. This is followed by the electrophoretic transfer of the proteins out of the gel onto a two-dimensional, protein-binding membrane support. Finally, proteins bound to the membrane are visualized by the binding of labeled, protein-specific antibodies or ligands.

Characteristics

Analogous to the membrane blotting techniques for DNA (Southern blotting) or RNA (Northern blotting), electrophoretic blotting and analysis of proteins on a membrane support was developed and termed Western...