Looking for the legacy site? Click here

Northern Blotting

Sometimes it's a bit hard to understand, but there is humor in science. In the 1970s, E.M. Southern developed a method for locating a particular sequence of DNA within a complex mixture. This technique came to be known as Southern blotting. In a tongue-in-cheek fashion, those who used a similar method for locating a sequence of RNA named it Northern blotting. It is also known as Northern hybridization, or RNA hybridization.

The procedure for and theory behind Northern blotting is almost identical to that of Southern blotting, except you are working with RNA instead of DNA. Please see the section on Southern blotting for more information.

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/northern-blotting

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Northern Blotting
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: 12 Apr, 2010
  • Date accessed:
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/northern-blotting

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (Mon, 04/12/2010 - 14:39). Northern Blotting. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/northern-blotting

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Northern Blotting". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 12 Apr 2010. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/northern-blotting

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Northern Blotting". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 12 Apr 2010. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/northern-blotting

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Can Gila monsters climb trees?

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute