Tween function in Western blot - (Jan/24/2006 )

Dear all,
I did western blot usually with tween, like TBSTween with 5% milk to block my blot.
now I get a antibody from commercial and the protocal said TBS with 5% milk to blok the blot.
I wondered that what is the function of tween in western blot?
thanks

Hi
Tween 20 is a detergent, its use in blocking and labelling steps in western blott, is to decrease antibody binding to unspecific proteins, therefore decrease the background signal.

It's also used to lyse cells.