Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

Hybridization analysis of DNA blots

The principle of hybridization analysis is that a single stranded DNA or RNA molecule of defined sequence (the “probe” which is usually labeled) can base-pair to a second DNA or RNA molecule that is immobilized and contains a complementary sequence (the “target”), with the stability of the hybrid depending on the extent of base pairing that occurs. The technique permits detection of single copy genes in complex genomes. This protocol is suitable for hybridization analysis of Southern transfer and dot and slot blots with a radioactively labeled DNA probe 100 to 2000 bp in length.