southern blot

One of the most well-used techniques in the lab is the southern blot. This method has been in use for a long time and continues to be relevant within the field of biology. not an easy feat considering how fast the field is moving, and how new techniques are quickly replacing the old ones due to their ease, cost efficiency and decrease in time. However, southern blot has still been relevant enough so that in the job description previous experiences with southern blot have been listed as a requirement. To do this technique, the first thing that needs to be done is to do the last step of genotyping: gel electrophoresis. by running the gel, The different RNA fragments are separated. The RNA is then transferred onto a membrane. Then the membrane is then left in a container that contains a mix of proteins. the resulting mixture is then left to shake allowing the different proteins to interact with the segments of the genetic material. After some time, the membrane is then exposed to UV light to see what binding happened. The band indicates the interaction that happens between the genetic material and the protein/molecule of interest. Because mRNA is used, the southern blot can tell the gene expression of the cell. Similar things can be also done using protein, and DNA. another technique that is similar is DNAase analysis where the protein bind to DNA before the gene is digested and ran on a gel. Because the sizes and the places where the DNA is cut, there is a ladder running down the entire gel. However, because the protein are bound to the protein cannot be digested, there is a blank spot where it indicates the spot where the protein binds to the gene.