| | The Scientist : Northern Exposure (Site not responding. Last check: ) |
 | | A Northern blotting experiment involves the electrophoretic resolution of RNA samples on a formaldehyde-agarose gel, transfer of the RNA onto a solid support (such as a nitrocellulose or nylon membrane), and the detection of specific transcripts using a labeled probe. |
 | | One advantage of Northern blotting is the ease with which comparative analyses can be carried out, as researchers can run RNA samples representing different developmental time points, tissues, or organisms on a single gel. |
 | | This "reverse" Northern analysis is akin to microarray analysis, and it offers scientists the chance to examine all of the known gene members in families such as the JAK/STAT pathway or the MAP kinase pathway simultaneously in whichever tissue is the focus of their research. |
| www.the-scientist.com /article/display/12501 (2227 words) |