VPB 321: Animal Biotechnology (2+1)

Differences between Southern blotting and Northern blotting

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORTHERN BLOTTING AND SOUTHERN BLOTTING 

• In Southern hybridization, DNA is separated by gel electrophoresis, while in northern blotting RNAs are separated;
• As a result, in Southern hybridization DNA has to be denatured before blotting, while this step is not needed in northern hybridization;
• Nitrocellulose membrane is generally not used for northern, while it is often used for Southern hybridization;andfinally
• Hybridization with the probe produces DNA: DNA hybrid molecules in Southern hybridization but RNA : DNA molecules in northern hybridization.