Question

Transfer of DNA bands from an agarose gel to a nitrocellulose or nylon membrane is referred to as

• A. Western transfer
• B. Northern transfer
• C. Eastern transfer
• D. Gene transfer
• E. Southern blotting

Answer 1

The correct option is E Southern blotting

Southern blotting is the transfer of DNA fragments from an electrophoresis gel to a membrane support, resulting in immobilization of the DNA fragments, so the membrane carries a semi-permanent reproduction of the banding pattern of the gel. After immobilization, the DNA can be subjected to hybridization analysis, enabling bands with sequence similarity to a labelled probe to be identified. In Southern blotting method, upward capillary transfer of DNA from an agarose gel onto a nylon or nitrocellulose membrane occurs, using a high-salt transfer buffer to promote binding of DNA to the membrane.