Western Blot Products

Western blotting is a laboratory technique used to detect and quantify specific proteins in a sample. Various products are involved in the Western blot workflow, including reagents, equipment, and consumables. Here’s an overview of Western blot products:

1. Sample Preparation Products

• Lysis Buffers: For cell and tissue lysis (e.g., RIPA buffer, NP-40 lysis buffer).
• Protease and Phosphatase Inhibitors: Protect proteins from degradation during extraction.
• Protein Quantification Assays: Determine protein concentration (e.g., BCA assay, Bradford assay).

2. Gel Electrophoresis Products

• Precast Gels: Ready-to-use SDS-PAGE gels with various pore sizes (e.g., 10%, 12%).
• Gel Casting Supplies: For preparing custom gels (e.g., acrylamide, bis-acrylamide).
• Running Buffers: For electrophoresis (e.g., Tris-Glycine-SDS buffer).
• Protein Ladders: Molecular weight markers to determine protein size.

3. Transfer Products

• Transfer Membranes: For protein immobilization (e.g., nitrocellulose, PVDF membranes).
• Transfer Buffers: Facilitate protein transfer (e.g., Tris-Glycine buffer).
• Transfer Systems: Equipment for blotting:
  • Wet Transfer Systems: Use a buffer tank and constant current.
  • Semi-Dry Transfer Systems: Use minimal buffer and faster protocols.

4. Blocking and Detection Reagents

• Blocking Agents: Prevent nonspecific binding (e.g., BSA, non-fat dry milk).
• Primary Antibodies: Specific to the target protein.
• Secondary Antibodies: Conjugated to a detection enzyme (e.g., HRP or AP) or fluorophores.
• Detection Substrates:
  • Chemiluminescent: For HRP or AP (e.g., ECL substrates).
  • Fluorescent Dyes: For fluorescent detection.

5. Visualization Equipment

• Imaging Systems: For signal detection:
  • Chemiluminescence imagers.
  • Fluorescence scanners.
  • Traditional X-ray films and darkroom setups.
• Software: For image analysis and quantification.

6. Consumables

• Pipette Tips and Tubes: For handling samples and reagents.
• Syringes: For preparing membranes.
• Filter Paper: To support membranes during transfer.

Popular Western Blot Product Brands

• Bio-Rad: Precast gels, imaging systems, and transfer equipment.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Antibodies, substrates, and imaging reagents.
• MilliporeSigma: PVDF membranes and chemiluminescent substrates.
• LI-COR Biosciences: Fluorescent antibodies and imagers.
• Abcam: High-quality antibodies and blocking agents.