Hello Viet Hoang Vu

I didn't understand your question that well. Are you referring to the Western Blot membrane as the blotting paper? Then the answer is no.

Western blotting is used for the immunodetection of proteins. This process involves the transfer of protein patterns from gel to a microporous membrane. The transfer of proteins to microporous membranes is referred to as blotting and this term encompasses both spotting (manual sample deposition) and transfer from planar gels. The blotted proteins form an exact replica of the gel. Then you subsequently employ the antibody probes directed against the membrane bound proteins.

A wide range of solid phases is available for immobilization, and the most common phases used for blotting are comprised of microporous surfaces and membranes like cellulose, nitrocellulose (NC), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), cellulose acetate, polyethane sulfone and nylon. The nitrocellulose and PVDF are mostly used for Western Blot. The unique properties of microporous surfaces that make them suitable for Western Blotting are as follows:

1. large volume to surface area ratio,

2. high binding capacity,

3. short- and long-term storage of immobilized molecules,

4. ease of processing by allowing a solution phase to interact with the immobilized molecule,

5. lack of interference with the detection strategy and

6. reproducibility.

These microporous surfaces are used in the form of membranes or sheets with a thickness of 100 micrometers and possessing an average pore size that ranges from 0.05 to 10 micrometers in diameter.

Since you are new to Western Blot, I suggest you refer to the article attached below. It will be helpful!

Article Western Blotting: An Introduction

Good Luck!

@Malcolm Nobre the first, thank you for your useful sharing. Actually, I don't currently have blotting paper (also called filter papers, in the following figure) in my Lab (this papers make a sanwich between gel, PVDF/nitrocellulose and it called to be blotting papers or filter papers), so I want find out a kind of other paper that can replace blotting paper to help making sanwich

Hello @Viet Hoang Vu,

Oh! I knew it would be the blotting paper used in the transfer process, but I was not sure. Every lab should have blotting paper or filter paper for routine work and it also doesn't cost much.

Blotting paper is actually an important component of the transfer system because it helps in moving the transfer buffer through the gels, to facilitate the movement of the proteins out of the gel and onto the membrane.

In a way, it helps protect the gel and blotting membrane ensuring that close contact between their surfaces is maintained.

I have not tried any alternatives. But what comes to my mind is paper napkins or you could even use newspaper (of many folds).

Tissue roll may be used, but not recommended because they are not sturdy.

The thickness of the paper also matters. Too thick can result in an over-squeezing of the gel and membrane and thus, distorted bands. Too thin may result in incomplete/non-uniform transfer due to lack of full contact between the membrane and the gel.

Best.