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Stain-Free total-protein normalization enhances the reproducibility of Western blot data
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Stain-Free total-protein normalization enhances the reproducibility of Western blot data

Abigail Maloy, Shaun Alexander, Alexis Andreas, Toru Nyunoya and Divay Chandra
Analytical biochemistry, Vol.654, p.114840
10/01/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114840
PMID: 35931182

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Abstract

We compared the accuracy of three common methods of total protein normalization. The Stain-Free method was accurate across different types/brands of western blotting membrane and for various protein loads, unlike Ponceau S and Amido Black. Normalizing to the housekeeping proteins Actin and β-Tubulin could match the accuracy of the Stain-Free method. However, compared to Actin or β-Tubulin, normalizing to the Stain-Free signal reduced variability that led to enhanced reproducibility and a reduction in the number of samples needed to obtain statistically significant results by >50%. Stain-Free normalization can enhance the reproducibility and hence the confidence in Western Blot data. [Display omitted] •Total-protein normalization methods vary in accuracy by type/brand of immunoblotting membrane and amount of protein load.•Housekeeping protein normalization can match the accuracy of Stain-Free total protein normalization but with less precision.•Stain-Free total protein normalization can enhance the reproducibility and hence the confidence in Western Blot data.
Amido black Ponceau S Rigour and reproducibility Stain-free Total protein normalization Western blot

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