Introduction
Electrophoresis is a technique used to separate charged molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins based on their size and charge. It exploits the principle that charged molecules will move in an electric field towards an electrode of opposite charge.
Types of Electrophoresis
- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
- Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
- Capillary Electrophoresis
Applications of Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis is widely used in various fields such as molecular biology, biochemistry, forensics, and clinical diagnostics. It is used for DNA fingerprinting, protein analysis, and drug testing.
Case Study: DNA Profiling
In forensic science, electrophoresis is used to analyze DNA samples for identification purposes. By comparing the unique banding patterns of DNA obtained through electrophoresis, forensic scientists can match samples to suspects or victims.
Statistics
According to a study published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, electrophoresis has an accuracy rate of over 99% in DNA profiling.
