ELA08/ELA09

laboratory gel electrophoresis apparatus is a fundamental tool used to separate and analyze biological molecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins based on their size and charge. The core system consists of several key components.

First, a gel casting tray creates the porous gel matrix, typically made from agarose for nucleic acids or polyacrylamide for proteins. This gel is submerged in a running buffer-filled chamber equipped with electrodes. Samples loaded into wells at one end of the gel are propelled through the matrix by an applied electric field from a power supply.

Negatively charged molecules (like DNA) migrate toward the positive anode. Smaller molecules move faster through the gel pores, resulting in distinct bands. After separation, the gel is stained (e.g., with ethidium bromide for DNA or Coomassie Blue for proteins) and visualized under UV or white light using a transilluminator or imaging system.

This apparatus is indispensable for applications such as DNA fingerprinting, PCR product analysis, restriction mapping, protein purity checks, and quality control in molecular biology and biochemistry labs. Its ability to provide clear, size-based separation makes it a cornerstone of modern bioscience research and diagnostics.