Blotbased

Blotbased is an adjective used to describe methods, data, or approaches that rely on blotting techniques or on results that resemble blot patterns. In laboratory contexts, blotbased workflows involve separating nucleic acids or proteins by gel electrophoresis, transferring them onto a membrane, and detecting the target with probes or antibodies, producing an image of bands that reflect the presence or quantity of the target. The term blends "blot" with "based" and is often used informally to distinguish blot-based methods from non-blot techniques such as PCR, sequencing, or enzyme-linked assays.

Blotting techniques were developed in the 20th century, with Southern blot described by Edwin M. Southern in 1975 for DNA, Northern blot for RNA in 1977, and Western blot for proteins emerging around 1979. These methods rely on transfer of the sample from a gel to a durable support and on specific hybridization or antibody-based detection, typically visualized through colorimetric, radioactive, chemiluminescent, or fluorescent signals. Blotbased methods remain widely used for diagnostics, gene characterization, and protein analysis, though they are often complemented or replaced by more rapid or sensitive techniques depending on the application.

In practice, blotbased analysis emphasizes pattern recognition—bands at particular positions, their intensity, and their reproducibility—as a readout of molecular identity or abundance. Related techniques include dot blots and slot blots, which adapt the blot principle to different sample formats.

See also: blotting, Southern blot, Northern blot, Western blot, dot blot, slot blot, molecular biology techniques.