Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge. An electric current is used to move the molecules through an agarose gel, a porous matrix that provides a sieving effect to separate the molecules.

Overview

Electrophoresis is a common technique in laboratory research. It is used for both DNA and RNA analysis, and is a necessary step in DNA sequencing. It is also used in clinical laboratories for the diagnosis of certain diseases and conditions.

Principle

The principle of electrophoresis is that charged particles will move in an electric field. The particles, such as DNA or proteins, are placed in a gel, and an electric current is applied. The particles will move towards the opposite charge. Smaller particles will move faster and further than larger ones, allowing them to be separated.

Types of Electrophoresis

There are several types of electrophoresis, including:

• Gel electrophoresis
• Capillary electrophoresis
• Isoelectric focusing
• Pulse field gel electrophoresis
• Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Applications

Electrophoresis has many applications in both research and clinical settings. Some of these include:

• DNA sequencing
• Protein purification
• Antibody identification
• Disease diagnosis

See Also

• Molecular biology
• Biochemistry
• Genetics

References

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  Motion by electrophoresis of a charged particle

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  Retardation Force