Southern Blot

A southern blot is a laboratory technique used in molecular biology to detect a specific DNA sequence. Before performing a southern blot, DNA is digested by restriction endonucleases which produce DNA fragments. These DNA fragments are then separated in an agarose gel and transferred to a southern blot membrane such as nitrocellulose. A southern blot probe is then used to bind to a specific DNA fragment on the nitrocellulose. Southern blot analysis is performed on x-ray film by autoradiography. A southern blot protocol can be found online or from your professor if you are a college student. Southern blotting is used for determining who committed a crime by matching the supect's DNA to the DNA found at the crime scene. There are many applications of southern blotting. Whatman, G-Biosciences, and Pall supply products for southern blotting.