Northern Hybridization

RNA samples that have been transferred and fixed to a membrane may be hybridized with a specific probe to locate the RNA species of interest. Any one of a large number of methods can be used to label and detect probes, at the discretion of the investigator. After treating the membrane with blocking agents that suppress nonspecific absorption of the probe, the membrane is incubated under conditions that favor hybridization of the labeled probe to the immobilized target RNA. The membrane is then washed extensively to remove adventitiously bound probe and finally manipulated to yield an image of the distribution of the tightly bound probe on the membrane. After analysis of the results, the probe may be stripped from the membrane, and the membrane can then be used again in another hybridization experiment.