Direct in-gel hybridization, without blotting, using nick-translated cloned DNA probe.

Hybridization of DNA and RNA to labeled probes is central to molecular biology. A method is described here for hybridization of cloned DNA probes directly to DNA in agarose gels. This in-gel hybridization method has several advantages over conventional techniques using transfer to membranes. It is extremely rapid, highly sensitive, less expensive and particularly suited for high molecular weight genomic DNA analysis.