Southern Blotting: DNA Transfer

Southern Blotting: DNA Transfer

1. Depurination of DNA fragments: Wash gel in 0.25 M HCl 5' (small gels), 7' (large gels)

2. Denaturation: Wash gel in (0.5 M NaOH, 1.5 M NaCl) for 20' (small) to 30' (large).

3. Neutralization: Wash in (0.5 M Tris pH 7.0, 3.0 M NaCl) for 20' (small) to 30' (large).

4. Cut nylon membrane (MSI 0.45 micron #N04HY00010) and several pieces of blotting (e.g. Schleicher and Schuell GB002) paper to the same size as the gel. Wet the nylon with dH20, then soak in 5x SSC.

5. Assemble sandwich:
a. Large sheet of plastic wrap
b. Two pieces blot paper (precut to same size as gel) soaked in 20x SSC
c. Gel (wells-side down)
d. Presoaked nylon
e. One piece blot paper soaked in 5x SSC
f. 10-15 pieces of dry blot paper
h. Wrap whole sandwich in the plastic wrap
i. Place glass plate and weight on top and let transfer >3 hr.

6. Crosslink after blotting.

OR

1. Set up a standard alkaline Southern transfer onto a nylon membrane with 0.4 M NaOH, 0.6 M NaCl (for positively charged membranes) or 0.25 M NaOH, 1.5 M NaCl (for uncharged membrane). Transfer >3 hours.

2. Crosslink if using an uncharged membrane.