Separating biological materials by size and charge

Gel electrophoresis

Electrophoresis is a common molecular biology technique that is used to separate biological materials by virtue of their size and/or charge.

In a gel electrophoresis experiment:

  • An electrical field prompts negatively charged material to migrate toward a positively charged cathode through a fibrous gel matrix.
  • The speed at which nucleotide chains and proteins migrate through the surrounding gel matrix is dependent upon their molecular weight.
  • Researchers can use this information identify specific components by virtue of their size.

    • Identification of specific nucleotide and protein components in electrophoresis is made possible through use of a carefully controlled set of molecular weight markers, colloquially known as a “ladder”.

    Molecular weight standards (ladder) for protein and DNA electrophoresis
    kPlus ready-to-use DNA ladderBlueRay prestained protein ladder
    Left: DNA ladder ABIN649014, a ready-to-use molecular weight marker from antibodies-online for use in agarose gel electrophoresis.

    Right: Protein ladder ABIN649018 a pre-stained, ready-to-use molecular weight marker from antibodies-online for use in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

    Due to the ubiquitous nature of gel electrophoresis in experimental biology, nucleotide and protein molecular weight standards for electrophoresis are among the most important common-use laboratory products. antibodies-online is proud to announce that we now offer high-quality, ready-to-use, affordable molecular weight markers for both agarose and acrylamide gel electrophoresis experiments. These unique products don’t require any dilution, and come in a ready-to-use format, complete with loading buffer and visible tracking dyes.

    Genomics researchers, check out 50bp, 100bp, 1kb, and kPlus our ready-to-use nucleotide molecular weight standards at antibodies-online. For additional resolution with large plasmids, XLarge DNA ladder offers standard markers up to 25,000 base pairs in size!

    Proteomics researchers, check out our ready-to-use prestained , BlueRAY(10-180 kDa), BLUelf (3.5-245 kDa), and PiNK Plus(10-140 kDa) prestained protein ladders.

    Make sure you also look into Nimble Juice and Novel Juice, a set of easy-to-use, bright, and ecologically-friendly stains for use with protein and DNA.