Transferring
In Order to make the proteins accessible to antibody
detection, they are moved from within the gel onto a membrane made of nitrocellulose
or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). The membrane is placed on top of the gel, and a
stack of filter papers placed on top of that. The entire stack is placed in a buffer solution
which moves up the paper by capillary action, bringing the proteins with it.
Another method for transferring the proteins is called electro blotting and uses an
electric current to pull proteins from the gel onto the PVDF or nitrocellulose
membrane.