A Southern blot (written with a capital "S" because it is named after the British biologist Edwin Southern) is mainly used for the detection of a specific DNA sequence in a DNA samples. This method involves the transfer of isolated DNA ( usually size separated using electrophoresis) to a filter membrane followed by DNA fragment detection by probe hybridization.
The northern blot is used chiefly to study gene expression by detection of RNA or RNA species (like mRNA).
The western blot is used to detect specific proteins in a sample by "immunoblotting".
A Southern blot (written with a capital "S" because it is named after the British biologist Edwin Southern) is mainly used for the detection of a specific DNA sequence in a DNA samples. This method involves the transfer of isolated DNA ( usually size separated using electrophoresis) to a filter membrane followed by DNA fragment detection by probe hybridization.
The northern blot is used chiefly to study gene expression by detection of RNA or RNA species (like mRNA).
The western blot is used to detect specific proteins in a sample by "immunoblotting".
Northern blot allows you to detect RNA that hybridizes with your probe, whereas Southern blot allows you to detect sequences in a DNA restriction digest that hybridize with your probe. Northern is used to evaluate gene expression and Southern lets you test if your gene of interest is found in the genome of your sample
The major difference between the two is that northern blotting is used for RNA detection whereas southern blotting is used for the detection of a specific DNA sequence in large, complex samples of DNA. This is a really helpful video on southern blotting if you want to learn more!