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Electrophoresis Explained

Forensic scientists and other genetic researchers use electrophoresis to identify and differentiate between different DNA fragments. Because the DNA molecules are charged particles, they can be manipulated by electrical fields.

  1. Electrokinetic Effect

    • A charged particle will naturally migrate to an electrode of opposite charge. Since proteins are charged particles, they can be manipulated in an electrical field.

    1-D Gel Electrophoresis

    • Polyacrylamide gel is a polymer used during one-dimensional electrophoresis procedures. The gel is formed in a tube and acts as a support medium for routine protein and nucleic acid separations.

    2-D Gel Electrophoresis

    • 2-D electrophoresis is a form of protein separation used for finger printing. The technique utilizes a larger surface area and provides the most accurate protein separations.

    Gel Concentation

    • The acrylamide gel concentration and pore size directly correlate with the molecular weight of proteins involved in the procedure. The higher the weight of the molecular protein, the lower the concentration of electrophoresis gel.

    Free Flow

    • A free flow electrophoresis procedure does not require a gel medium to hold protein samples. Instead, charged protein molecules are separated in a free-flowing state by a manipulated electrical field.

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