Western blot

American  

noun

Biology, Medicine/Medical.

1. a highly sensitive procedure for identifying and measuring the amount of a specific protein in a mixed extract, as in testing for AIDS virus protein in a blood sample: proteins are separated by gel electrophoresis and transferred to a special filter paper, on which the protein under investigation can be detected by a probe, as the binding of a labeled antibody.

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Etymology

Origin of Western blot

Originally a facetious counterpart to Southern blot

Compare meaning

How does western-blot compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Southern blot vs. Western blot

Example Sentences

These included a protein identification method known as the Western blot.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 20, 2022

We can't say whether or not there's scientific misconduct without looking at the raw, unprocessed Western blot images and comparing them to the ones that are published.

From Scientific American • Nov. 29, 2017

Scale bar 30 μm. e, Western blot analysis of sub-fractionated control MCF7-RAS cells and MCF7-RAS–Tet/ON-LACTB-expressing cells with 24 h of DOX treatment.

From Nature • Mar. 21, 2017

A Western blot test, which can confirm the diagnosis, was strongly positive.

From Washington Post • Jun. 6, 2016

An additional lab test: The doctor ordered a Lyme Western blot and ELISA.

From New York Times • Aug. 10, 2012