Agarosegel

Agarose gel is a porous gel matrix made from agarose, a polysaccharide extracted from seaweed. It is commonly used in molecular biology for the separation of DNA, RNA, and proteins based on their size and charge. The gel is prepared by dissolving agarose powder in a buffer solution, heating the mixture until it becomes clear, and then pouring it into a mold. Once cooled, the agarose solidifies into a semi-solid gel.

The separation process in agarose gel electrophoresis involves placing the sample into wells cast in the gel and applying an electric field across the gel. Nucleic acids, which are negatively charged, migrate towards the positive electrode. Smaller molecules move through the pores of the gel matrix more quickly than larger molecules, resulting in a separation based on size. The migration distance is inversely proportional to the logarithm of the molecular weight.

Agarose gel electrophoresis is a fundamental technique for various applications, including DNA fingerprinting, gene cloning, PCR product analysis, and purification of nucleic acids. The concentration of agarose in the gel can be adjusted to optimize the separation of molecules within a specific size range. Higher agarose concentrations create a denser matrix, suitable for separating smaller molecules, while lower concentrations allow for the separation of larger molecules. Stains such as ethidium bromide or SYBR Safe are typically used to visualize the separated molecules under UV light.