ISOELECTRIC FOCUSING Meaning and
Definition
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Isoelectric focusing is a technique in biochemistry and molecular biology used to separate and purify proteins based on their isoelectric points (pIs). It is a high-resolution method that takes advantage of the different isoelectric points of proteins to achieve their separation.
The isoelectric point of a protein is the pH at which it carries no net charge. In isoelectric focusing, an electric field is applied across a gel or other supporting medium, and a pH gradient is established within the gel. The sample proteins are then loaded onto the gel and migrate toward the position in the gel where the pH matches their respective pIs. At this position, the proteins become immobilized and form "bands" due to the absence of an electric field around the protein.
The separation is achieved based on the relative isoelectric points of different proteins in the sample. Proteins with higher pIs will migrate towards the cathode, while those with lower pIs will migrate towards the anode. This technique allows for the separation of proteins with similar molecular weights but different charges, making it a powerful tool in protein purification and analysis.
Isoelectric focusing is commonly used in the study of protein mixtures, such as in proteomics research, to identify and characterize individual proteins. It is often coupled with other techniques such as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to achieve higher resolution and increased identification capabilities.
Common Misspellings for ISOELECTRIC FOCUSING
- usoelectric focusing
- jsoelectric focusing
- ksoelectric focusing
- osoelectric focusing
- 9soelectric focusing
- 8soelectric focusing
- iaoelectric focusing
- izoelectric focusing
- ixoelectric focusing
- idoelectric focusing
- ieoelectric focusing
- iwoelectric focusing
- isielectric focusing
- iskelectric focusing
- islelectric focusing
- ispelectric focusing
- is0electric focusing
- is9electric focusing
- isowlectric focusing
- isoslectric focusing
Etymology of ISOELECTRIC FOCUSING
The word "isoelectric focusing" is a compound term that can be broken down into two components: "isoelectric" and "focusing".
The term "isoelectric" comes from the combination of two words: "iso-" and "electric". "Iso-" is a prefix that comes from the Greek word "isos", meaning "equal" or "same". "Electric" refers to electricity or electric charge. Therefore, "isoelectric" can be understood as something equal or neutral in terms of electric charge.
The word "focusing" is derived from the verb "focus", which ultimately comes from the Latin word "focus", meaning "hearth" or "fireplace". The term transitioned to mean a central point or directing attention towards something.
