For western blots, where proteins are freshly transferred from SDS-PAGE gels to nitrocellulose or PVDF membranes, washing the membranes twice for 5 mins with 20 mL of pure water is recommended to partially remove gel and transfer buffer components and weakly bound proteins. The membranes are then ready for the WesternBreeze Chromogenic Immunodetection protocol.
Alternatively, the washed membranes may be dried on a clean piece of filter paper in open air, by a stream of slightly warm air or under an infrared lamp. Properly dried membranes can be stored in a closed container at 4 degrees C for several days depending on the antigen loaded. Water-washed and dried nitrocellulose membranes are ready for the WesternBreeze Chromogenic Immunodetection protocol. However, water-washed and dried PVDF membranes require a re-wetting step in methanol, followed by two 20 mL water washes for 5 mins before proceeding to the WesternBreeze Chromogenic Immunodetection protocol.
For Native-PAGE western blot, a drying step, performed before any washing steps, is recommended to improve protein binding to the membrane. Once dried, nitrocellulose membranes should be washed twice with 20 mL water for 5 mins before proceeding to the WesternBreeze Chromogenic Immunodetection protocol. Dried PVDF membranes require a re-wetting step in methanol, followed by two 20 mL water washes for 5 minutes before proceeding to the WesternBreeze Chromogenic Immunodetection protocol.
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