Agarose is a sugar which, when mixed with water and heated, forms polymers that assemble into a matrix. This weaved matrix has been optimized into a technique for separation of DNA strands. Application of an electric field causes negatively charged DNA strands to migrate through the agarose gel matrix towards the positive end of the electric field (cathode). This migration produces a consistent separation such that smaller DNA fragments migrate further down the gel due to less resistance experienced from their reduced size. To accurately determine the size of separated DNA fragments, a "ladder" is often run in parallel to the DNA samples. This ladder is composed of DNA fragments of known molecular weight, so separated experimental samples are sized according to the parallel separation of ladder fragments. An explicit protocol available below. As always, suggestions for improvement are welcome
protocol_for_1.0_agarose_gel_dick_lab.docx | |
File Size: | 18 kb |
File Type: | docx |