Gel Electrophoresis

Gel Electrophoresis is a technique used for the separation of deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA), ribonucleic acid(RNA), or protein molecules using an electric current applied to a gel matrix. it's usually performed for analytical purposes, but may be used as a preparative technique prior to use of other methods such as cloning, DNA sequencing, or southern blotting for further characterization.

Gel Elertrophoresis acually rerfers to the force movement of molmolecules by electricity and separates macromolecules on the basis of size, electric charge, and other physical properties.Its kind of like jello really.In DNA gel electrophoresis, the molecules are separated primarily on the basis of different sizes. This technique is usually used for CSI type of things like DNA Fingerprinting.

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DNA Fingerprinting

DNA Fingerprinting distiguishes indivduals based on differences in their DNA sequences. There are three steps in DNA Fingerprinting, Isolation, Cutting, and Sorting. But before DNA fingerprinting can proceed, the sample DNA must first be compared. The banding pattern seen in a completed DNA fingerprint looks something like barecode. Individuals have their own unique DNA sequences (kind of like a fingerprint, from which the name is derived). However, twins are the only exception to this rule, since they have the same exact DNA sequences.


Gel Electrophoresis process

When DNA is treated with restriction enzymes, the DNA is cut into fragments of various sizes. These fragments can be separated in a gel on the bases on their electric charge and size. step 1-DNA is cut up with restriction enzymes.
step 2-The DNA fragments are transferred to wells cut into a gel.
step 3-An electric charge is transferred through the gel. The negatively charged DNA fragments are repelled by the negative electrode and attracted to the positive electrode.