Journal of Biomolecular Research & Therapeutics

Electrophoresis in Molecular Biology: Principles and Applications

John Tramini^* Department of Biotechnology, University of Deakin, Victoria, Australia
^*Correspondence: John Tramini, Department of Biotechnology, University of Deakin, Victoria, Australia, Email:

Received: 04-Sep-2023, Manuscript No. BOM-23-23602; Editor assigned: 07-Sep-2023, Pre QC No. BOM-23-23602 (PQ); Reviewed: 21-Sep-2023, QC No. BOM-23-23602; Revised: 28-Sep-2023, Manuscript No. BOM-23-23602 (R); Published: 05-Oct-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2167-7956.23.12.335

Description

Electrophoresis is a fundamental technique in molecular biology and biochemistry used for the separation and analysis of macromolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates, based on their charge and size. It plays a vital role in various scientific disciplines, including genetics, genomics, proteomics, and clinical diagnostics. Molecular biology provides a comprehensive overview of electrophoresis, its principles, applications, and various techniques within this field. Electrophoresis, derived from the Greek word’s "electron" (meaning electricity) and "phoresis" (meaning to carry), is a laboratory technique that uses an electric field to separate molecules based on their mobility in a gel or other supporting medium. The underlying principle of electrophoresis is that charged molecules will migrate in response to an electric field, with the rate of migration being determined by their charge, size, and the properties of the medium they are moving through.

Applications of electrophoresis

DNA electrophoresis: Agarose gel electrophoresis is used to separate DNA fragments, such as those generated by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This technique is fundamental in molecular biology and is used for tasks like DNA fragment sizing and purity assessment.

RNA electrophoresis: Similar to DNA electrophoresis, RNA electrophoresis is employed for the analysis of RNA molecules, including Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and Messenger RNA (mRNA).

Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE): PAGE is widely used for protein separation based on size. It's used for studying protein purity, composition, and post-translational modifications.

SDS-PAGE: Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a variant of PAGE that denatures proteins, making the separation primarily dependent on molecular weight.

Isoelectric Focusing (IEF): IEF separates proteins based on their isoelectric point, which is the pH at which a protein carries no net charge.

Clinical diagnostics

It is used to diagnose various hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia. This technique is utilized in the diagnosis of various diseases, including multiple myeloma. Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) is employed for the separation of large DNA fragments, such as those found in microbial chromosomes. It is important for bacterial strain typing. Southern and Northern Blotting techniques combine electrophoresis with hybridization to detect specific DNA or RNA sequences, respectively. Electrophoresis, specifically capillary electrophoresis, is a important of DNA profiling used in forensic investigations and paternity testing. Electrophoresis is used to analyze DNA extracted from environmental samples to detect the presence of specific organisms, helping in ecological and environmental studies. Electrophoresis is used to verify the authenticity and quality of food products. For instance, it can detect adulteration in dairy products or verify the presence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Electrophoresis is key role in the characterization and quality control of biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.

Electrophoresis is a important technique in molecular biology and biochemistry, with a wide range of applications across different scientific disciplines. Its ability to separate macromolecules based on charge and size has revolutionized fields such as genetics, proteomics, clinical diagnostics, and environmental science. As technology continues to advance, electrophoresis techniques are becoming increasingly powerful, with applications expanding into areas like single-cell analysis and point-of-care diagnostics. While electrophoresis has its limitations, it remains an indispensable tool for researchers and scientists seeking to understand and manipulate the macromolecules that underlie life's complexity.