GEL ELECTROPHORESIS

Gel Electrophoresis is a technique that

was developed in the 1970s used to
separate macromolecules (specifically
DNA) by size. It utilizes an electric
current forcing the negatively charged
macromolecules to migrate to the positive
end of the gel. The smaller the molecules
are, the further they will travel.

In order to preform gel electrophoresis one must first place the gel in a box filled with
a buffer solution that can conduct current. A power source is placed to the side of the
box connected by a positive electrode on one side and a negative electrode on the
other. A comb is used to make wells on the negative side of the box in which the
macromolecules will be placed. When the power source is activated the molecules will
migrate to the opposite end of the box with the positive electrode. As the
macromolecules travel at different speeds, they will separate into bands containing a
large number of fragments of the same size.

Once the macromolecules

have been separated, the gel
can be stained using a dye
(such as ethidum bromide) and
then placed under a UV light
so that the fragments will
fluoresce.