CRITICAL-EVALUATION OF MEMBRANE SUPPORTS FOR USE IN QUANTITATIVE HYBRIDIZATIONS

The quantification of 16S rRNA by oligonucleotide probe hybridization was investigated with MagnaGraph (Micron Separation, Inc [MSI]), Magna Charge (MSI), Magna (MSI), Immobilon-N (Millipore Corporation), and N ytran (Schleicher & Schuell, Inc) membranes as supports for nucleic ac id immobilization. The levels of detectability provided by the Magna C harge and Immobilon-N membranes were 20 to 50 times better than those obtained with the MagnaGraph, Magna, and Nytran membranes, The variabi lity of the signal response for individual membranes ranged from 10 to 50%, with the Magna Charge and Immobilon-N membranes demonstrating th e lowest variability.