1. The Blotter from Down UnderA l
Represented by: Austin Walden and Tudor Hadade

2. Our History Founded by Edward M. Southern in 1975
Invented it while using radiolabeled DNA probe to detect a specific DNA sequence
We also have sister companies
Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southwestern blotting

3. What is Southern Blotting?
Procedure used to identify specific DNA sequences
Occurs after Gel Electrophoresis
Utilizes Nucleic Acid Hybridization
Uses a complementary DNA strand to find specific sequences and determine degree of hybridization

4. How We Operate Extract and purify DNA from cells
Restrict DNA with restriction enzymes
Separate into bands using Gel Electrophoresis
Denature the DNA
Transfer to a nitrocellulose paper
Add labeled probe to allow for NA Hybridization
Wash off unbound probe
Observe using an Autoradiograph

6. Why We’re Important
Through Nucleic Acid Hybridization, one may compare DNA and isolate target sequences
Used in identifications of specific DNA Sequences
Able to Identify and Name Mutations
Identification for carriers of genetic disorders
Prognosis of Cancer
HIV Diagnosis
DNA Fingerprinting

7. Cons Can be considered costly
$ per testing
Reliant on a proper Gel Electrophoresis test
Not Immediate
Has a turnaround time of approximately 1-2 weeks

8. Pros Allows us to predetermine carriers for genetic disease
We may then resolve and fix these disorders through other methods, such as gene therapy
Effective in finding mutations in DNA
Allows us to detect multiple genes in a genome
Not strictly specific

9. Ethical Concerns Method itself has little debate over its practice
After Southern Blotting has been performed, the information acquired from it may lead to some “questionable” experiments
Gene therapy is a major usage and reason for debate
Concerns over whether it is right or not to change a living organisms DNA
Would it be right to change an unborn human’s DNA if we know they have a disorder?
May make natural selection null for humans

10. Example Usage
ETV6 disorder linked with defects of Short Arm part of Chromosome 12 (12p)
Using Southern Blotting, it was discovered that:
Rearrangement/Deletion of ETV6 gene occurs about 70% of the time in patients with an affected 12p
90% of children with a defected 12p/breakpoint in intron 5 were carriers for a rearrangement of ETV6 in intron 5