ABSTRACT
Gel electrophoresis (GE) is a method that separates macromolecules on the basis of size, electric charge, and other physical properties. The term electrophoresis describes the migration of charged particles under the in§uence of an electric eld. “Electro” refers to electricity and “phoresis,” from the Greek word phoros, means “to carry across.” Thus, GE refers to a technique in which molecules are forced across a span of gel, motivated by an electrical current. The driving force for electrophoresis is the voltage applied to electrodes at either end of the gel. The properties of a molecule determine how rapidly an electric eld can move it through a gelatinous medium. The complete GE assembly along with the power pack is shown in Figure 7.1, whereas the various positions in which electrophoresis can be carried out, that is, upright, horizontal, and vertical, are shown in Figures 7.2 and 7.3.
