Southern Blot

Southern blotting is a laboratory technique used to detect specific DNA sequences in a sample. It involves cutting the DNA into smaller pieces, separating them by size using a gel, and then transferring the fragments to a membrane. Next, a labeled probe, which is a short piece of DNA that matches the target sequence, is applied. If the target is present, the probe will bind to it. After washing away unbound probes, the membrane is analyzed, allowing scientists to see whether the specific DNA sequence is present and, if so, how much of it exists.