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Electrophoresis

Method for separating mixes of different molecules according to size; creates characteristic banding pattern used to identify genes

Electrophoresis is a commonly used method in genetic engineering. Mixes of molecules, mostly often protein or nucleic acids, are loaded into a matrix charged with an electric field.

Due to their electric charge and their size, the individual molecules move across this field through a matrix at different speeds, thus becoming sorted.

Usually, the carrier substance is gel (gel electrophoresis). The molecule mixes are applied and move through the gel once voltage is applied. The gel works like a sieve: small molecules pass through the gel more quickly while larger ones do not travel far. After some time, the molecules are detected individually at different sites of the gel. In a photographic procedure they can be made visible as specific bands.