Southern blotting
Southern blotting
Southern blotting (pronounced: /ˈsʌðərn ˈblɒtɪŋ/) is a laboratory technique used in molecular biology for detection of a specific DNA sequence in DNA samples. The method was named after its inventor, British biologist Edwin Southern. Other blotting methods (i.e., Northern blotting, Western blotting) that were subsequently developed have been named in honor of Southern's pioneering work.
Etymology
The term "Southern blotting" is named after Edwin Southern, who first published about the technique in 1975. The name 'blotting' was reportedly a play on the technique known as 'blotting' used in art to copy drawings.
Procedure
Southern blotting begins with the extraction of DNA from the cells under investigation. This DNA is then cut into smaller fragments using restriction enzymes. The fragments are then separated by size through a process known as gel electrophoresis. After separation, the fragments are transferred to a membrane (blotting), and then hybridized with a labeled probe that is complementary to the sequence of interest. The probe will bind to its complementary sequence on the fragments on the membrane. The location of these fragments can then be visualized, allowing researchers to determine the presence and quantity of the DNA sequence of interest.
Applications
Southern blotting is used in genetics, forensics, and research to identify, size, and quantify specific sequences in a DNA sample. It can also be used to determine the relative amounts of DNA in different samples, to identify changes in gene structure, and to study the organization of genes and elements within the genome.
Related Terms
- Northern blotting: A technique similar to Southern blotting, but used to detect specific sequences of RNA instead of DNA.
- Western blotting: A technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample.
- DNA: The molecule that carries genetic instructions in all living organisms.
- Restriction enzymes: Proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences.
- Gel electrophoresis: A technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins by size.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Southern blotting
- Wikipedia's article - Southern blotting
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