Most style guides—including Nature, Cell, and the ACS Style Guide—say to capitalize Western blot. Why? Because it’s become a proper term in the lexicon of biology. It’s like calling a tissue “Kleenex” or a bandage “Band-Aid.” Everyone knows what you mean, and the capital “W” signals you’re talking about the technique, not some random cowboy-related protein transfer.
Western blot，真的要求整膜带marker吗？ - 知乎
But here’s where it gets tricky: you’ll also see “western blot” in lowercase in some older papers or more casual blogs. And honestly? It’s not the end of the world. But if you’re writing a manuscript for a journal, please capitalize it. Your peers will think you’re a slob otherwise. Jokes aside, they will judge you. I’ve seen it happen. A reviewer once wrote, “The author clearly doesn’t respect the Western blot.” True story.
What About “Western Blotting”?
Good question! You’re blotting in a Western style. So it’s “Western blotting” (capital W, lowercase b for the verb form). But if you’re referring to the actual blot—the membrane with proteins—it’s “Western blot” (capital W, capital B for the noun). It’s like saying “I’m Googling something” vs. “I used Google.” Grammar is a playground, and we’re all just swinging on the tire.
And please, for the love of lab safety, don’t write “western blot” as two lowercase words in a formal paper. That’s the equivalent of wearing socks with sandals to a Nobel Prize ceremony. It’s allowed, but why would you do that to yourself?
