Procedures vary widely for the detection step of a western blot experiment. Whatever system is used, the intensity of the signal should correlate with the abundance of the antigen on the membrane. Fluorescent blotting is a newer technique and is growing in popularity as it affords the potential to multiplex (detect multiple proteins on a single blot). Alternatively, fluorescently tagged antibodies can be used, which require detection using an instrument capable of capturing the fluorescent signal. However, digital imaging instruments based on charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras are becoming popular alternatives to film for capturing chemiluminescent signal.

The light output can be captured using film. The most sensitive detection methods use a chemiluminescent substrate that produces light as a byproduct of the reaction with the enzyme conjugated to the antibody. Chromogenic substrates produce a precipitate on the membrane resulting in colorimetric changes visible to the eye. Often the secondary antibody is complexed with an enzyme, which when combined with an appropriate substrate, will produce a detectable signal. Most commonly, the transferred protein is then probed with a combination of antibodies: one antibody specific to the protein of interest (primary antibody) and another antibody specific to the host species of the primary antibody (secondary antibody). Next, the membrane is blocked to prevent any nonspecific binding of antibodies to the surface of the membrane. Subsequently, the separated molecules are transferred or blotted onto a second matrix, generally a nitrocellulose or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane.

The first step in a western blotting procedure is to separate the macromolecules in a sample using gel electrophoresis.

Steps of northern blotting