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What Is Electrophoresis?

Gel electrophoresis is used to separate DNA, RNA and proteins. This method is commonly used in medical research labs either alone or in conjunction with other techniques as an identification and analysis tool.

  1. How Gel Electrophoresis Works

    • Using an electric field, gel electrophoresis separates molecules on the basis of size and charge.

    Types

    • Agarose gel electrophoresis is commonly used to separate DNA and RNA, while polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is the most common method for separating proteins.

    Considerations

    • The matrix of the gel is commonly adjusted to accommodate the size of the molecule being analyzed. For example, to isolate a small fragment of DNA, a high percentage agarose gel would be used.

    Expert Insight

    • The dyes used in gel electrophoresis allow for the visualization of samples when loading and running the gel.

    Fun Fact

    • Agarose gel electrophoresis, in combination with other molecular techniques, is used in paternity tests when examining the DNA of a child and potential parent.

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