BACKGROUND Although the overall sensitivity and specificity of the western blot (WB) test for detection of antibodies to various viral proteins is high, there has been a substantial difference in the timing of the appearance of antibody bands and their intensities during different stages of HIV infection. AIMS Mapping different band patterns of Western blot results and correlating them with s...

Restriction endonuclease analysis of specific gene sequences is proving to be a valuable technique for characterisation and diagnosis of inherited disorders. This paper describes detailed protocols for isolation, restriction, and blot hybridisation of genomic DNA. Problems and alternatives in the procedure are discussed and a troubleshooting guide has been provided to help rectify faults.

Inherited copper toxic disease, Wilson's disease, is an autosomal recessive disorder arising from a defect in biliary copper excretion. Although there are several pathognomonic clinical features, such a multisystem disease can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in the early stages of copper toxicity. Even measurements of serum copper and caeruloplasmin, the major copper-transporting protein...

Protein blotting was originally introduced as a solid-phase immunoassay (Gershoni & Palade, 1983; Towbin & Gordon, 1984). However, this technique can also be employed for the analysis of ligand-receptor interactions. In principle, a protein sample containing a receptor is resolved by gel electrophoresis and then blotted to an immobilizing matrix, such as a nitrocellulose membrane filter, as wou...