What is the primary purpose of Southern Blotting?

The primary purpose of Southern Blotting is to detect specific DNA sequences. This technique involves the transfer of DNA from an agarose gel onto a membrane, followed by hybridization with a labeled probe that is complementary to the target DNA sequence of interest. By using selective hybridization, researchers can identify and visualize specific sequences within a complex mixture of DNA.

This method is particularly useful for applications such as gene mapping, detection of mutations, and studying genetic disorders, where the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences is crucial for understanding genetic information. The ability to localize a particular DNA segment among a range of genomic material makes Southern Blotting a fundamental tool in molecular biology research.

In contrast, the other methods mentioned focus on different biomolecules or applications. Protein identification pertains to techniques like Western Blotting, gene expression analysis usually refers to methods like Northern Blotting or PCR, and RNA sequencing is dedicated to the quantification and characterization of RNA. Thus, Southern Blotting's specific role in detecting DNA sequences is what sets it apart and highlights its importance in the study of genetics.