Blot (biology)

In molecular biology and genetics, a blot is a method of transferring large biomolecules (proteins, DNA or RNA) onto a carrier, such as a membrane composed of nitrocellulose, polyvinylidene fluoride or nylon.

Proteins are first separated by size using electrophoresis before being transferred to an appropriate blotting matrix (usually polyvinylidene fluoride or nitrocellulose) and subsequent detection with antibodies.

[2] The proteins are separated by gel electrophoresis and are subsequently transferred to nitrocellulose membranes similar to other types of blotting.

Proteins are separated by gel electrophoresis before being transferred to a blotting matrix whereupon posttranslational modifications are detected by specific substrates (cholera toxin, concanavalin, phosphomolybdate, etc.)

High-performance thin-layer chromatography is first used to separate the lipids by physical and chemical characteristics, then transferred to a blotting matrix before the oligosaccharides are detected by a specific binding protein (i.e. antibodies or lectins).