DNA gel electrophoresis separates molecules based on their electrical charge. It is used in forensics, genetics, and biochemistry. Different techniques, such as Southern blotting and zymography, can be used to detect specific nucleotide sequences or biological functions. Gel electrophoresis is commonly used in forensics to determine correlations with available suspects and in genetics to determine specific heredity.
DNA gel electrophoresis is a process used to separate proteins and nucleic acids in molecular biology. The gel is usually composed of a cross-linked polymer and acrylamide which help separate and analyze different parts of a DNA molecule. DNA gel electrophoresis is commonly used in forensics to determine the specific DNA sequence to help find the prime suspect. It is also commonly used in genetics and in the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry.
Nucleic acids and proteins carry a positive or negative charge. When placed in an electrical chamber in DNA gel electrophoresis, any electrical charge will travel to both ends of the chamber. Molecules with a negative electrical charge will move towards the positive end of the chamber, while molecules with a positive electrical charge will move towards the negative end. The gel separates each of these molecules so that they spread evenly as you read. The gel is made up of long fibers that keep the molecules from moving to aid in the analysis of individual molecules.
Southern blotting is a technique used in DNA gel electrophoresis to determine the presence or absence of a specific nucleotide sequence in a DNA molecule. Northern blotting is a different technique used to identify gene expression in the presence of RNA or ribonucleic acid. Eastern blotting is used to determine the presence of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates in a DNA sequence. To simply detect proteins in a DNA sequence, western blotting technique is used in the electrophoresis chamber through gel isolation.
Zymography is also an approach to detect certain biological functions through DNA gel electrophoresis. It is primarily used to study extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes, which catalyze the destruction of matrix outside the cell, as well as the basement membrane of a cell. Using polyacrylamide gel helps separate enzymes, which are proteins, using a protein substrate such as gelatin or casein. This technique is used to measure the amount of degradation activity that occurs outside the cell.
Gel electrophoresis of DNA is used quite often in forensics. It is used to separate blood proteins and DNA found at the crime scene to determine correlations with available suspects. Gel electrophoresis is also used to determine specific heredity within genetics, as some DNA and proteins are associated with different races. It is also used to resolve paternity cases to determine the relative relationship between individuals.
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