Immunoblotting: Transfer of Proteins from Gels to Membranes

Electrophoretic transfer of proteins from gels to membranes can be achieved either by complete immersion of a gel-membrane sandwich in a buffer (wet transfer) or by placing the gel-membrane sandwich between absorbent paper soaked in transfer buffer (semidry transfer). For the wet transfer, the sandwich is placed in a buffer tank with platinum wire electrodes. For the semidry transfer, the gel-membrane sandwich is placed between carbon plate or stainless steel electrodes. Both methods are described here and generally work well, although semidry transfer is quicker and often more complete.