Electrophoresis May 2026

An electrical current is applied. Since DNA and RNA are negatively charged due to their phosphate backbone, they migrate toward the positive electrode (anode).

DNA profiling (DNA fingerprinting) uses electrophoresis to compare crime scene samples with suspect DNA. Electrophoresis

It is used to detect abnormal proteins in blood or urine, which can indicate conditions like multiple myeloma or hemoglobin disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia). An electrical current is applied

Small molecules move through the pores of the gel quickly, while larger molecules get tangled in the matrix and move more slowly. Over time, the molecules separate into distinct bands based on their molecular weight. Common Types It is used to detect abnormal proteins in

Used for proteins. The detergent SDS unfolds the proteins and gives them a uniform negative charge, ensuring they are separated strictly by length rather than shape.

The process relies on the principle that many biological molecules possess an electrical charge. When placed in an electric field, these molecules migrate toward the electrode with the opposite charge.

Though the concept is simple—using electricity to push molecules through a "filter"—electrophoresis is one of the most powerful techniques in modern science. It transformed biology from a descriptive field into a precise, molecular discipline, providing the visual evidence needed to map the human genome and solve complex medical mysteries.