Blotting Membranes

Nytran® Nylon

The Whatman Nytran N membrane is ideal for applications that require a lower charge. It is designed for Southern and Northern blotting as well as colony & plaque lifts and Dot-/Slot-blots. Nytran N is compatible with isotopic and non-isotopic detection methods.

Nytran N membrane allows for excellent signal-to-noise ratios. The membrane is cast uniformly on both sides of a support matrix, demonstrating excellent symmetry. This gives the membrane the ability to lie flat without curling. Nytran N membrane is a highly consistent membrane with uniform pore size and distribution. It is available in 0.2 µm and 0.45 µm pore sizes for optimal retention of oligos and larger DNA fragments.

Nytran® SuPerCharge (SPC)

> Nytran SuPerCharge nylon membrane (1250x magnification)

Nytran SPC nylon membranes have a very high positive charge. Improvements in the manufacturing process result in a membrane with a higher density of nylon per unit area. The increased charge and greater nylon density provide increased binding sites for your samples.

Nytran SPC membranes show a very uniform pore size and pore distribution compared to typical nylon membranes. They are free of surface microvoids which are common in other membranes. These characteristics lead to greater reproducibility of results across a membrane and from blot to blot.

Nytran SPC membrane is cast uniformly on both sides of a support matrix, demonstrating excellent symmetry. This gives the membrane the ability to lie flat without curling.

With typical manufacturing techniques, increasing positive charge tends to increase background. Nytran SPC membranes are manufactured using a process that allows the combination of high positive charge with low background. Whether using radioactive or non-radioactive detection techniques, Nytran SPC consistently gives high signal with extremely low background.

Optitran® nitrocellulose membranes
Reinforced Nitrocellulose Membranes
Optitran membranes consist of pure 100% nitrocellulose cast onto both sides of an inert polyester support material. The support in no way affects transfer conditions or results and gives the membrane exceptional handling characteristics, allowing it to be reprobed repeatedly.

The Optitran nitrocellulose membrane provides high sensitivity with very low non-specific binding without stringent washing and blocking conditions using standard nitrocellulose protocols.

The combination of flexibility, strength and excellent signal-to-noise ratios makes the Optitran membrane ideal, especially when procedures involve repeated stripping and reprobing.

Optitran supported nitrocellulose membranes combine sensitivity, strength and savings.

Protran® nitrocellulose membrane
100% Pure Nitrocellulose Membranes
Protran nitrocellulose membranes are the most frequently specified transfer media in the world for a wide range of applications. Protran membranes are manufactured using 100% pure nitrocellulose to ensure the highest binding capacity possible.

Other membranes referred to as "nitrocellulose" may actually contain large amounts of cellulose acetate which will lower the protein binding capacity. Protran membranes have the best handling strength of all pure nitrocellulose membranes. They are compatible with a variety of detection methods, including isotopic, chemiluminescent (luminol-based), colorimetric and fluorescent.

Unlike PVDF membranes, Protran nitrocellulose requires no methanol pre-wetting step. This makes it the membrane of choice for proteins which prefer aqueous environments. Prior to transfer, the membrane is simply wet in water, and then in the transfer buffer. No other pre-treatment steps are necessary.

High binding, low background

In addition to high binding capacity, Protran nitrocellulose membranes inherently have very low background. The superior surface properties of the membrane guarantee superior signal-to-noise ratios, without the need for stringent washing conditions.

High retention of small proteins

The 0.2 µm pore size of the Protran (BA83) nitrocellulose membrane ensures high retention of small samples below 20 kD by reducing "blow-through". The 0.45 µm pore size membrane (BA85) is ideal for larger molecular weight samples. BA79, with 0.1 µm pore size, is the membrane of choice for smaller molecules below 7 kD.

A particular benefit of the proprietary Protran nitrocellulose formula is the proven excellent shelf life of proteins. Empirical evidence shows that proteins maintain molecular recognition activity for five years on Protran.

Westran® PVDF membranes
Whatman Westran PVDF membranes are available in two formats. The Westran S used for protein sequencing and the Western Clear Signal used for Western Blotting.

Westran S

Western S PVDF is a 0.2 µm pore size hydrophobic membrane designed specifically for protein sequencing applications. The small pore size of this membrane eliminates "blow-through" and increases protein retention over a wide range of molecular weights.

Features and Benefits
 

• Highest protein binding capacity over (200 µg/cm²) for easy signal detection
• Chemical resistance needed for N-terminal sequencing
• High protein retention even after harsh wash steps
• Maximum capture of proteins during transfers minimizing sample loss
• Smaller pore size for better retention of low molecular weight proteins
• Compatible with use for non-sequencing Western blotting applications
• Available in popular pre-cut sizes for your application

Westran Clear Signal

Western Clear Signal PVDF is a 0.45 µm membrane specifically designed for Western blotting and protein dot-blotting applications.

Features and Benefits
 

• High protein binding ability (125 µg/cm²) to eliminate "blow-through"and increase signal over a wide range of molecular weights
• Extremely low backgrounds with chemiluminescent and colorimetric applications providing you with clear signals and sharp bands.
• Excellent results with general protein stains such as Coomassie® Brilliant Blue, Amido Black, and Ponceau S.
• Increased strength (withstands over 400 psi) allows for multiple stripping and reprobing which results in savings.