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Western blot

A technique in molecular biology, used to separate and identify proteins. Called a Western blot merely because it has some similarity to a Southern blot (which is named after its inventor, the British biologist M.E. Southern). There is also a Northern blot.

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West·ern blot .wes-tərn-'blät n a blot consisting of a sheet of cellulose nitrate or nylon that contains spots of protein for identification by a suitable molecular probe and is used esp. for the detection of antibodies compare NORTHERN BLOT, SOUTHERN BLOT

Western blot·ting -'blät-iŋ n

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[by analogy to Southern blot] a blot obtained by transferring proteins separated electrophoretically to a nitrocellulose membrane or other immobilizing matrix, followed by overlaying the matrix first with antibody against the protein of interest, then with labeled antibody against the first antibody; used for analysis and identification of specific proteins.

Medical dictionary. 2011.