Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis is a process used in laboratories to separate macromolecules like DNA, RNA or proteins based on their sizes and charges. The macromolecules are applied to a gel, which acts as a sieve to the movement of the molecules. When an electric potential is applied the macromolecules move to the opposite electrode through the gel. The sieving properties of the gel allows smaller molecules to move faster and through the gel, whereas the larger ones migrate slower. The entire gel set-up is immersed in a buffer which provides the ions required for the flow of the current. The gel is usually prepared using agarose or polyacrylamide, which is set in the form of gels with well in them, where the sample is loaded. Polyacrylamide gels are usually preferred for protein separation, whereas nucleic acid separation is performed on agarose gels. While agarose gels are usually run in a horizontal configuration, polyacrylamide gels are run vertically. The pore size of both the gels can be easily manipulated by changing the percentage concentration of agarose or polyacrylamide. Gel electrophoresis can be performed in native and denaturing conditions. Under denaturing conditions, the macromolecule moves in the gel-based only on its mass-to-charge ratio. Such conditions are used in SDS-PAGE for protein separation. In the case of the native page, the folding of the macromolecule also affects its motility in the electric field.

Biomall allows customers to easily purchase accessories required for gel electrophoresis including, gel casting apparatus, plates, combs, electrophoresis tanks, power packs, etc.