Medicosis Perfectionalis: Understanding Blotting in Biochemistry

Introduction

• Medicosis Perfectionalis offers medical education with mnemonics.
• Focuses on teaching medicine from basic to advanced levels.
• Medicine is both a science and an art.

Topic: Blotting in Biochemistry

• Definition: Blotting is a procedure used to detect a sequence by pairing with a known DNA sequence.
  • Known DNA sequence is used to identify unknown sequences (DNA, RNA, protein).

Types of Blotting

Northern Blot

• Purpose: Pair known DNA with unknown RNA.
• Mnemonic: "RNA rises" - Remember RNA by associating with the northern pole; rise to the north.

Southern Blot

• Purpose: Pair known DNA with unknown DNA.
• Mnemonic: "Descend DNA" - Moving south symbolizes descending; pair DNA with DNA.

Western Blot

• Purpose: Pair known DNA with a protein.
• Mnemonic: "Washington Post" - America (western country) with Washington Post (newspaper) stands for the western blot (protein).

Southwestern Blot

• Purpose: DNA binding protein identification.
• Logic: Combination of southern (DNA) and western (protein).

Eastern Blot

• Purpose: Protein post-translational modifications (e.g., lipids, carbohydrates).
• Mnemonic: "Middle East" - Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon remind of post-translational modifications.

Summary

• Blotting Recap:
  • Pair unknown with known DNA.
  • Northern Blot: RNA rises.
  • Southern Blot: Descend (DNA with DNA).
  • Western Blot: Protein (Washington Post).
  • Southwestern: DNA binding protein.
  • Eastern Blot: Protein post-translational modifications.

Conclusion

• Mnemonics help in remembering complex biochemical processes.
• Encouragement to subscribe for more mnemonics and comprehensive medical education.