Southern blot

noun

, Biology, Medicine/Medical.

1. a procedure for identifying and measuring the amount of a specific DNA sequence or gene in a mixed extract, as in testing for a mutation or a virus: DNA strands from the person or organism under study are cut with restriction enzymes, separated by gel electrophoresis, transferred to special filter paper, and hybridized with a labeled DNA probe.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Southern blot¹

After Edwin M. Southern, originator of the technique

Example Sentences

He soon found that some Step 1 questions were testing analysis of Southern blot, a molecular biology testing mechanism, or the biochemical pathways that influence the position of a cell within an organ.

From Scientific American

Is knowing about somatic hypermutation in a Southern blot really making me a better physician and health policy researcher and advocate?

From Scientific American

Single-member gene families in hexaploid wheat and were maintained to a similar extent as those seen in sequenced diploid grasses, consistent with Southern blot analyses of single-copy genes.

From Nature

In Figure 2b of this Letter, the ‘+’ and ‘−’ labels for the iATM lanes of the Southern blot analysis were inadvertently switched round.

From Nature