Agar Gel Electrophoresis is a scientific technique used for separating molecules based on their size, charge, and other properties. In terms of its spelling, the word "agar" is pronounced /ˈeɪɡər/, the "gel" is pronounced /dʒɛl/, and "electrophoresis" is pronounced /ɪˌlɛktrəʊfəˈriːsɪs/. To break it down further, the "a" in "agar" is pronounced like the "a" in "say," while the "e" in "gel" is pronounced as "eh." With "electrophoresis," the emphasis is on the second syllable and the "o" sound is more like "oh."
Agar gel electrophoresis is a commonly used technique in molecular biology and biochemistry to separate and analyze different components, such as DNA or proteins, based on their size and charge. It involves the use of a gel matrix made from the polysaccharide agarose, which provides a porous medium through which the molecules can migrate.
The gel is prepared by dissolving agarose in a buffer solution and then allowing it to solidify into a gelatin-like substance. Small wells or indentations are created in the gel using a comb before it solidifies, which serve as the starting points for sample loading. The gel is submerged in an electrophoresis buffer within a chamber, and an electric field is applied across the gel using electrodes.
The target molecules, such as DNA fragments or proteins, are mixed with a tracking dye and loaded into the wells. When an electric current is applied, the molecules migrate through the gel matrix, with smaller molecules moving more quickly than larger ones. This separation is based on the principle that negatively charged molecules are attracted to the positive electrode while positively charged molecules are attracted to the negative electrode.
The migration of molecules through the gel can be visualized by adding a suitable stain or dye that binds specifically to the target molecules. By comparing the migration distances of known molecular weight markers, the size of the unknown molecules can be estimated. Agar gel electrophoresis is widely used in various applications, including genetic research, forensic analysis, and the diagnosis of genetic diseases.