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Genetics & Biotechnology vocabulary · PCR and Laboratory Methods

Gel electrophoresis

Meaning in genetics & biotechnology, with examples

nounCore term

In genetics & biotechnology, gel electrophoresis means: A method that separates DNA, RNA or protein fragments by size by pulling them through a gel with an electric current; smaller fragments move faster.

In Turkish: jel elektroforezi, agaroz jel elektroforezi

How it is used

Used daily to check PCR products and digests. You cast, load and run a gel, then image it under UV or blue light. DNA moves toward the positive electrode because it is negatively charged. A DNA ladder in one lane shows fragment sizes. In the lab people usually just say 'run a gel'.

Example sentences

  1. We checked the PCR products by agarose gel electrophoresis.

  2. After gel electrophoresis, we saw a single clear band at 600 base pairs.

Common collocations

  • agarose gel electrophoresis
  • run a gel
  • load the gel
  • DNA ladder
  • gel image
  • PCRPolymerase chain reaction: a lab method that makes millions of copies of a chosen DNA region by repeating cycles of heating and cooling with primers and a DNA polymerase.
  • amplifyTo make many copies of a specific DNA sequence, usually by PCR.
  • western blotA method for detecting a specific protein in a sample: proteins are separated by size on a gel, moved onto a membrane and then detected with antibodies.
  • restriction enzymeA bacterial enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific short sequence, such as GAATTC for EcoRI. It is a basic tool for cutting and joining DNA in cloning.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: PCR and Laboratory Methods

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