Storage of detected blots - (Oct/01/2008 )

Hello!

My Western blots so far are working fine.
After NBT/BCIP detection I dry them and store them at room temperature.
Eventually mold is growing on some of the membranes.
As I do not have an exposed film as in ECL detection I need to store my blots as proof for my results.

Has somebody an idea how to prevent the growth of mold on the dried membranes?

Perhaps I could wash them with sodium azide before drying? But what concentration and buffer system?

Thanks for your ideas and help!

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Which kind of membrane do you use? If you are using PVDF and your results are stable you can keep the membrane at 4degrees (it is common use to do so) or even freeze it. But remember to put it between two pieces of Watmann paper which will help to keep it dry

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I am using nitrocellulose membranes.

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washing with sodium azide before drying? to bleach the signals??? wash in pure water, dry in dark, and seal under vacuum in plastic bags, and store, dark and cold, or even frozen...

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Just rinse it in water and dry it. Keep it in between the whatmann filter papers and seal it in a zip lock polythene bags. Thats how we generally store our NC membranes. In case even if the signals become weak during storage, just rinse it in water again to see the bands.

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Why don't you scan the blots and paste the scans into your notebook as proof of your data? Even with storing the blots, the signal will fade over time.

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That's the point. Keeping a photo in your log book is the most practical way to "store" your blot.

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