Southern blotting is a technique used to detect specific DNA sequences in a sample. It involves extracting DNA from a source, cutting it into fragments using restriction enzymes, separating the fragments by size through gel electrophoresis, and then transferring the fragments to a membrane and using a radioactive probe to detect sequences that hybridize. Southern blotting is used for gene discovery, mapping, and confirming that a known sequence has been incorporated into the genome of a genetically modified organism.