hydrophilic membrane particularly suited for blotting applications , preferably western blotting . a pre - wet hydrophobic membrane substrate , preferably made of pvdf , is contacted with a monomer solution and subjected to a uv - initiated free radical polymerization step to render the substrate permanently hydrophilic . the resulting membrane exhibits low background fluorescence , high protein binding , excellent retention of protein sample spot morphology , and extended dynamic range . the membrane demonstrates comparable or higher performance in western blotting applications than conventional nitrocellulose western blotting membranes , particularly for protein detection at low sample concentrations , and is directly water - wettable , eliminating the need for an alcohol pre - wet step prior to use .