Stains, Buffers, Standards and Blotting Detection Stains and Blotting Key to interpreting a proteomics experiment is visualizing the proteins in a 2-D array. Proteins may be stained in a gel or after transfer to PVDF membranes. The method can be semi-quantitative within a small linear range. Stain Plus kit is a non-oxidizing method which can be used prior to mass spec.
Stain is compatible with mass spec and has a larger linear range than silver staining.
The detection level can be as low as 8 to 26 ng per band, and also has the added benefit of not generating hazardous waste. In Blot Detection Proteins on PVDF are compatible with digestion and introduction to mass spec. Some researchers store proteins on PVDF for later analysis. In order for this to be completely useful for comparative studies, the western transfers must be as quantitative as possible. The high intensity transfers are quick and if PVDF is used, low molecular weight proteins will be captured.