Electrophoresis

In the field of biochemistry, there are two types of electrophoresis: the nucleic acid electrophoresis and the electrophoresis of proteins.

Nucleic acid electrophoresis, or DNA electrophoresis, is an analytical technique that allows a scientist or researcher to separate DNA or RNA fragments according to their size and reactivity. The nucleic acids that are to be analyzed using this process are set upon a gel medium, where an electric field will be used to induce the nucleic acids toward the anode. This is made possible by the net negative charge of the backbone of the nucleic acid chain, which is made of sugar and phosphate molecules. The separation of the nucleic acid fragments is done through exploiting the mobilities, with which molecules of different sizes are able to pass through the viscous medium. Smaller fragments typically end up nearer to the anode, while longer molecules migrate more slowly because the gel provides resistance to these particles. After a certain amount of time, the electric current will be removed and the resulting fragmentation gradient is analyzed.

Protein electrophoresis, on the other hand, uses a fluid or an extract in order to analyze the proteins contained within. Typically, a protein electrophoresis is performed with a small amount of the sample used in alternative ways—either with or without a supporting medium. There are different kinds of protein electrophoresis, including SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, electrofocusing, free flow electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, affinity electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis, counterelectrophoresis, and capillary electrophoresis. Each of these methods has different variations, as well as individual advantages and limitations. However, protein electrophoresis is limited by practical limitations regarding its use as a preparative method. Protein electrophoresis is very useful in medicine in terms of analyzing the proteins present in the blood serum.

This category contains scientific information on electrophoresis, a process used in biochemistry to determine and evaluate proteins or enzymes within a specific sample.