Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

2.2.6.2. Northern blot

It is based on the same principle as southern blot, but RNA is used instead of DNA.

• It measures accumulation of RNA transcripts and it is extremely useful in studies of gene expression.
• The difference between slot and southern blotting is that slot blotting does not require the genomic DNA to be cut with restriction enzyme s prior to transfer to a nylon membrane or nitrocellulose filter.
• Analysis of degraded DNAs and of multiple samples are possible with slot blotting.
• However, slot blot hybridization is not as informative as southern blot hybridization because it does not indicate integrations or rearrangements involving the transgene.