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Southern blotting
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Southern blotting (developed by E. Southern and R. Davis in 1975) is the main method currently used to identify genes for a particular disease. To do this, DNA is extracted from the patient's cells and treated with one or more restriction endonucleases. The resulting fragments are subjected to electrophoresis, which allows them to be separated by size (smaller fragments move through the pores of the gel faster). The fragments are then transferred (reprinted) onto a nitrocellulose filter, onto which a radioactively labeled probe is layered. The probe binds only to the complementary sequence. Then, using autoradiography, the position of the desired fragment of genomic DNA on the electropherogram is determined.
Hybridization with a labeled DNA probe of DNA or RNA preparations applied dropwise onto a solid matrix without preliminary restriction and electrophoresis is called dot or slot hybridization, depending on the configuration of the DNA spot on the filter (round or oblong, respectively).
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