Ghost bands in Western Blots - (Nov/28/2006 )

Can someone tell me what are ghost bands in WB, what are the reasons cause ghost bands, and how to avoid to happen?

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what do you call ghost bands?

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My PI said they are the bands which cannot be detected by ab, but they should be there, and should be plenty.

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check this ..

causes mentioned here:
-overloading
-cross reactivity of the antibodies with the proteins of the blocking agent

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Thank you !!!

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any unspecific reaction of antibodies (primary or secondary)

unspecific bands can also arise on blots from intrinsic peroxidase activity in whole cell extracts

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