Enhanced protein blotting from phastgel media to membranes by irradiation of low-intensity ultrasound

A novel approach to protein blotting based on application of ultrasound is proposed. Three minutes of ultrasound exposure (1 MHz, 2.5 W/cm²) was sufficient for a very clear transfer of proteins from a polyacrylamide gel (PhastGel) to nitrocellulose or nylon 66 Biotrans membranes. The proteins evaluated were prestained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis standards (18,500-106,000 Da) and ¹⁴C-labeled Rainbow protein molecular weight markers (14,300-200,000 Da). In control experiments, which were performed following similar procedures without turning the ultrasonic generator on, no protein blotting could be seen. For comparable blotting results, 30 mm for electroelution or 240 min for elution by convection blotting was required.