Electrophoresis

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-009206",
  "term": "Electrophoresis",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A method of separating substances (e.g. DNA/RNA/proteins) based on size, charge, or sequence composition, and by the rate of movement of each component in a colloidal suspension through a polymer gel while under the influence of an electric field.\n\n2. A method of separating large molecules (such as DNA fragments or proteins) from a mixture of similar molecules. An electric current is passed through a medium containing the mixture, and each kind of molecule travels through the medium at a different rate, depending on its electrical charge and size. Agarose and acrylamide gels are the media commonly used for electrophoresis of proteins and nucleic acids.\n\n3. The separation of DNA, RNA, or proteins by differential migration through a matrix in the presence of electric current. Electrophoretic mobility is determined by differences among molecules in size, charge, or shape.\n\n4. Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge. An electric current is used to move molecules to be separated through a gel. Pores in the gel work like a sieve, allowing smaller molecules to move faster than larger molecules. The conditions used during electrophoresis can be adjusted to separate molecules in a desired size range.",
  "references": [
    "EPA Quality Assurance/Quality Control Guidance for Laboratories Performing PCR Analyses on Environmental Samples Glossary at www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ucmr/ucmr1/pdfs/guidance_ucmr1_qa-qc.pdf‎",
    "U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome Project Information, Genome Glossary",
    "EPA Genetic Diversity as an Indicator of Ecosystem Condition and Sustainability Glossary at http://www.epa.gov/eerd/Glossary-%20Genetic%20Diversity.pdf",
    "NIH Genetics Home Reference Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/electrophoresis/"
}