Nitrocellulose membrane storage after transfer - (Feb/24/2011 )

Tomorrow I will be doing SDS-PAGE and then transfer onto nitrocellulose membranes, but I don't know if I'll be able to start the actual Western blot procedure. I was wondering, is there a way for me to store my membrane over the weekend after the transfer? If so, what is the best way? In millipore water? Should I wash w/TBST and then block and keep it in block over the weekend?

I kept my membrane in the block buffer for like a week once and it still worked beautifully.

i would keep it in the blocking solution, at 4C, over the weekend.

Great, thanks! And it should still work fine after keeping it in block over the weekend?

Thanks for your help!

How many times should i use my nitrocellulose membrane and shall i save it in ddH2O water in 4oC between probings?? I've noticed that by doing that my proteins dissapear after 3-4 uses..

DarwinDuck on Tue Mar 15 19:03:34 2011 said:

are you stripping between probes? if so then you may be removing your proteins as well.

you may want to store in blocking buffer between uses instead of water.

mdfenko on Tue Mar 15 20:56:24 2011 said:

I'm not stripping my membrane. I've used to in the past, but i 've realized that it is too stringent for proteins...so i'd rather not..
I suppose you mean blocking buffer with BSA...becasue milk goes bad too soon..about 3 days..I will try it!!

Thanx anyway!!