40 years Western blotting: A scientific birthday toast.

The Western blot technique was first published 40 years ago. Since then, it has been mentioned in the titles, abstracts, and keywords of more than 400,000 PubMed-listed publications. This anniversary represents an opportunity to look back to its origins, to address the question as to whether the technique is outdated and heading toward being replaced, and to point out current improvements. Publications within the last ten years indicate Western blotting may be the most used protein-analytical technique. Although no decline in its usage is visible, the method has been moving out of the spotlight.