Mineral oil enhances the autoradiographic detection of 32P-labeled nucleic acids bound to nitrocellulose membranes.

The autoradiographic signal obtained from 32P-labeled nucleic acids hybridized to nitrocellulose membrane-bound DNA or RNA can be enhanced by making the membrane translucent with mineral oil and placing it between two intensifying screens. Elution of the mineral oil after autoradiography allows the reuse of the membranes in subsequent hybridizations.