Table of Contents
Northern blotting or Northern blot hybridization is a variant of southern blotting in which the target nucleic acid is RNA instead of DNA. This method is used to measure the amount and size of RNAs transcribed from genes and to estimate their abundance.
The process of Northern Blotting in brief:
In this technique, an RNA extract is electrophoresed in an agarose gel, using a denaturing buffer to ensure that the RNAs do not form inter or intra molecular base pairs.
After electrophoresis, the gel is blotted onto a reactive DBM (diazobenzyloxymethyl) paper, and hybridized with a labeled probe. RNA bands can also be blotted onto nitrocellulose paper under appropriate conditions and suitable nylon membranes.
Nylon membrane:
Nylon is a generic name for any long-chain synthetic polymer having recurring polyamide (-CONH-) groups. Two types of nylon membranes are available commercially. One is unmodified (or neutral) nylon and charge-modified nylon which carries amine groups and is also known as positively charged nylon.
Both types of nylon bind single- and double-stranded nucleic acids. Charge-modified nylon has a greater capacity to bind nucleic acids.
Properties of materials used for Northern blotting of nucleic acids:
Other related links:
Cell reviving process: https://thebiologyislove.com/the-basic-steps-of-the-cell-reviving-process/
Western Blot: https://thebiologyislove.com/western-blot/