Short Communication - Journal of Evolutionary Medicine ( 2023) Volume 11, Issue 5
Electrophoresis: Separating the Strands of Science
Zuhan Zuhi*Zuhan Zuhi, Department of Physics, University of Pierre-et-Marie-Paris, France, Email: zuhizuhan@gmail.com
Received: 01-May-2023, Manuscript No. JEM-23-110887 ; Editor assigned: 03-May-2023, Pre QC No. JEM-23-110887 (PQ); Reviewed: 17-May-2023, QC No. JEM-23-110887 ; Revised: 22-May-2023, Manuscript No. JEM-23-110887 (R); Published: 29-May-2023, DOI: 10.4303/JEM/110887
Introduction
Electrophoresis is a fundamental analytical technique used to separate and study molecules based on their charge and size. It plays a pivotal role in various scientific disciplines, including molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and clinical diagnostics. This technique harnesses the power of electromigration, the movement of charged particles in an electric field, to unravel the complexities of molecular structures and interactions. From unraveling the secrets of DNA to characterizing proteins, electrophoresis has become an indispensable tool in modern research laboratories. At its core, electrophoresis relies on the principles of electro-migration, which is the movement of charged particles, such as ions and molecules, in response to an electric field. The movement is directed towards the electrode of opposite charge. The rate of movement is influenced by factors such as charge, size, and shape of the molecules, as well as the strength of the electric field and the properties of the medium in which the molecules are migrating.
Description
There are several variations of electrophoresis techniques tailored to study different types of molecules and their characteristics. Agarose Gel Electrophoresis technique is widely used for separating DNA fragments of different sizes. The DNA fragments are loaded into wells created in an agarose gel matrix, and when an electric field is applied, the negatively charged DNA molecules move towards the positively charged electrode. Smaller fragments move faster and migrate farther through the gel, allowing researchers to separate DNA fragments based on size. Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis is utilized for separating proteins based on their size and charge. Polyacrylamide gels have a higher resolution compared to agarose gels and are suitable for resolving smaller proteins. This technique is commonly used in protein purification and analysis. CE employs narrow capillaries filled with a conductive buffer for the separation of molecules. This technique is known for its high separation efficiency and speed. CE is often used for analysing small molecules like ions, amino acids, and small nucleic acids. IEF separates molecules based on their isoelectric points the pH at which a molecule carries no net charge. In a pH gradient, molecules will migrate until they reach a region where the pH matches their pI, resulting in sharp bands of separated molecules. Two-dimensional Electrophoresis (2-DE): This technique combines two separate electrophoresis steps to achieve a higher level of separation. First, proteins are separated based on their isoelectric points using IEF, and then the proteins are subjected to SDS-PAGE, a form of electrophoresis that separates proteins based on size [1-4].
Conclusion
2-DE is commonly used for proteomics studies. Electrophoresis is vital for genotyping, DNA sequencing, and DNA fingerprinting. It allows researchers to distinguish genetic variations and mutations. It aids in studying protein size, charge, and interactions. Protein purification and quantification are also facilitated by electrophoresis. In clinical settings, electrophoresis is used for analysing serum proteins, detecting genetic disorders, and identifying abnormal protein patterns. Electrophoresis plays a role in forensic analysis by separating DNA and protein samples found at crime scenes. Drug Development: This technique assists in drug discovery by helping researchers understand the interactions between drugs and proteins.
Acknowledgement
None.
Conflict Of Interest
None.
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Copyright: © 2023 Zuhan Zuhi. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.