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Gel Electrophoresis gel electrophoresis – moving DNA through a gel medium using an electric current Why can we move DNA with electricity?
negative electrode positive electrode agarose gel
Gel Electrophoresis
The gel provides resistance for DNA movement. Short DNA moves ….. Long DNA moves ….
Gel Electrophoresis Describe the DNA fragment lengths that have been separated.
Gel Electrophoresis The gel medium can be made from: 1. agarose - seaweed extract 2. polyacrylamide - artificial polymer The type of gel used is dependent on how well separated the DNA pieces need to be (resolution). Polyacrylamide has higher resolution than agarose.
Gel Electrophoresis DNA is colourless. How do you know that it gets into the gel? Coloured dyes are mixed with DNA to track distance travelled. How do you see where the DNA is after the separation is complete? DNA is stained with ethidium bromide and a UV light box to see fluorescent DNA bands
Ethidium Bromide
Gel Electrophoresis How do you know how long your DNA fragments are?
Gel Electrophoresis A DNA ladder is: