Immunoblotting (Western Blot)
A Technique Detect specific antibodies and antigen variations to help diagnose infections like HIV, Lyme disease. Confirm other test findings.
Principle: Proteins extracted from blood/tissues are electrophoretically separated and transferred to a membrane forming bands. Patient serum added reveals colored bands against specific antigens.
Procedure: Sample proteins separated using gel electrophoresis. Transferred and immobilized onto a membrane. Patient’s serum added to membrane to allow antibody binding to bands which is visualized by secondary antibody conjugates.
Equipment: Electrophoresis equipment, nitrocellulose membranes, development reagents and substrates, imaging system.
Interpretation: Presence of antibody binding specifically to bands of one or multiple antigens provides identification marking past or current infection when compared to standardized reference patterns.