IMMUNOBLOTTING Meaning and
Definition
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Immunoblotting is a laboratory technique used in molecular biology and immunology to detect and identify specific proteins present in a sample. Also known as Western blotting, it combines the principles of gel electrophoresis and immunodetection to separate and analyze proteins based on their molecular weight and antigenicity.
The technique involves several steps. First, proteins in a sample are separated by size using gel electrophoresis, commonly polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The separated proteins are then transferred from the gel onto a membrane, such as nitrocellulose or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). This transfer process is called "blotting."
After blotting, the membrane is incubated with specific primary antibodies that can recognize and bind to the target protein of interest. The primary antibodies are typically generated by immunizing animals with purified proteins or protein fragments. These antibodies provide specificity and allow for the detection of specific proteins in the sample.
Next, the membrane is washed to remove any unbound primary antibodies, followed by incubation with secondary antibodies conjugated to enzymes or fluorescent tags. These secondary antibodies recognize and bind to the primary antibodies, amplifying the signal and allowing for the visualization or detection of the target protein.
The final step involves the visualization of the protein bands by adding appropriate substrates for the enzymes or using fluorescence detection methods. The resulting protein bands provide information about the presence, size, and abundance of the protein of interest in the original sample.
Immunoblotting is widely used in research, diagnostics, and biomedical laboratories to study protein expression, identify specific antigens or antibodies, and detect protein-protein interactions. It has applications in various fields, including cancer research, infectious diseases, immune response studies, and drug
Common Misspellings for IMMUNOBLOTTING
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Etymology of IMMUNOBLOTTING
The word "immunoblotting" is a combination of two terms: "immuno-" and "blotting".
1. "Immuno-" is a prefix derived from the word "immune" and comes from the Latin word "immunis", meaning "exempt" or "free". In this case, it refers to the immune system or immunity.
2. "Blotting" is a term that originated from the English verb "blot", which refers to absorbing or soaking up liquid. It has been used in various contexts, including writing, where blotting paper is used to soak up excess ink.
"Immunoblotting" is a technique in molecular biology that combines immunological methods and Western blotting, a method for detecting specific proteins in a sample. It involves the use of antibodies to detect and identify specific proteins within a complex mixture.
