PVDF Transfer Membranes in Western Blot: Case Studies in SCI Journals

PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) transfer membranes are widely used in Western Blot experiments as a reliable support for protein transfer and detection. In this article, we highlight three research case studies demonstrating how Cobetter PVDF transfer membranes perform across Western Blot applications.

What is PVDF membrane for Western Blotting?

PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) membrane is a synthetic fluoropolymer thermoplastic composed of repeating vinylidene fluoride(–CH₂–CF₂–) units. Its natural hydrophobicity, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength make it an ideal material for protein immobilization in Western Blot. 

What is the function of PVDF membrane in Western Blot?

In Western blot (WB) experiments, PVDF membranes (Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membranes) serve as the essential link connecting protein transfer and immunodetection. Their main function is to efficiently immobilize proteins transferred from gels, providing a stable support for the specific binding of primary and secondary antibodies and reliable signal detection.

Why use PVDF transfer membrane instead of nitrocellulose?

While nitrocellulose (NC) membranes are also commonly used in Western Blotting, PVDF membranes offer several advantages that make them the preferred choice in many applications. 

PVDF transfer membranes have a higher protein-binding capacity and stronger durability, allowing repeated stripping and re-probing without significant protein loss. Their chemical resistance and mechanical robustness reduce the risk of tearing or curling during handling. In addition, PVDF transfer membranes are compatible with a wider range of detection methods, including chemiluminescence, fluorescence, and colorimetric staining. Learn more about PVDF vs Nitrocellulose in Western Blotting.

Cobetter PVDF transfer membranes, with precisely pore size control, high protein-binding capacity, low background, and the cost advantage of being domestically produced, have become a reliable choice for Western blot experiments. They perform particularly well in applications such as low-abundance protein detection and repeated probing, making them ideal for laboratories seeking high-quality results. 

Case Study 1

The team of Baosheng Guo and Qing Jiang from Nanjing University Medical School/Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital published their work “Enhanced SIRT3 expression restores mitochondrial quality control mechanism to reverse osteogenic impairment in type 2 diabeetes mellitus” in Bone Research (IF: 15). This study investigated the fundamental regulatory role of SIRT3 in mitochondrial quality control, advanced the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic osteoporosis, and identified SIRT3 as a promising therapeutic target for this condition.

In their Western Blot experiments, the authors used Cobetter PVDF transfer membranes. (The protein samples were separated by SDS-PAGE, and transferred to PVDF membranes (Cobetter).)

The results demonstrated that Cobetter PVDF transfer membranes performed well in detecting proteins from both cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions, covering a molecular weight range from 16 kDa to 129 kDa.

--- Xian Y , Liu B , Shen T ,et al. Enhanced SIRT3 expression restores mitochondrial quality control mechanism to reverse osteogenic impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus[J].Bone Research, 2025, 13(1).DOI:10.1038/s41413-024-00399-5.

Case Study 2

Professor Dalin Hu from Southern Medical University, together with Professor Ziquan Lv from the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, published their work in ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY (IF：6.1). The study, titled “Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell -derived exosomes alleviated the toxic effects induced by lead on HK-2 cells via regulating the unfolded protein response”, demonstrated that exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSC-exos) can mitigate lead-induced toxicity in HK-2 cells by modulating the unfolded protein response (UPR). PERK was found to play a pivotal role in this process, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for lead toxicity.

In this study, the authors used Cobetter’s 0.45 µm PVDF transfer membrane together with a semi-dry transfer system for protein blotting. (Polyvinylidene fluoride membrane (PVDF, Cobetter, China)，The separated proteins were electrophoretically transferred to 0.45 µm PVDF membranes using a semi-dry transfer system.)

The results showed that Cobetter’s 0.45 µm PVDF transfer membrane performed well for proteins ranging from 19 kDa to 140 kDa, as well as under semi-dry transfer conditions.

--- He J, Hu Z, Gao Z, et al. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell -derived exosomes alleviated the toxic effects induced by lead on HK-2 cells via regulating the unfolded protein response. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119006.

Case Study 3

Professor Hongbin He and his team from Shandong Normal University published their study in Veterinary Microbiology (IF：2.7). The paper, titled “SSBP1 promotes bovine ephemeral fever virus replication by antagonizing antiviral immune responses via degrading MAVS”, revealed that mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein 1 (SSBP1) can restrict BEFV-induced innate immune activation through the SSBP1–Smurf1–MAVS signaling axis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for viral infection.

In this work, the authors used Cobetter’s 0.45 µm PVDF transfer membrane. (Equal amounts of proteins were added with 5 ×SDS-PAGE sample loading buffer, and subsequently separated on 10 % and 12.5 % SDS-PAGE gels, and then electrotransferred to polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes (Cobetter Filtration Equipment, China).)

The results showed that Cobetter’s 0.45 µm PVDF transfer membrane delivered clear protein bands with a clean background, demonstrating reliable performance.

---Li X, Song X, Ma X, et al. SSBP1 promotes bovine ephemeral fever virus replication by antagonizing antiviral immune responses via degrading MAVS[J]. Veterinary Microbiology, 2025: 110684.

Conclusion

Cobetter PVDF transfer membranes combine high-quality materials, precise pore-size control, and strong protein-binding capacity with excellent cost-effectiveness, offering reliable support for Western Blot experiments. The 3 case studies demonstrate their versatility across different protein types, sample sources, and experimental conditions. By providing researchers with dependable and user-friendly products, Cobetter continues to support scientific work and aims to grow together with our users and partners.