What Is Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis?
Gel electrophoresis is a process that uses an electrical current to separate DNA fragments. Scientists use gel electrophoresis to purify, analyze and identify DNA samples. Conventional gel electrophoresis uses an electric current that travels in one direction. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis alternates the use of electrical currents that travel in different directions. The alternating of the electric currents allows large DNA fragments to separate from each other. In conventional gel electrophoresis, these large DNA fragments do not separate. Scientists use pulsed field gel electrophoresis for experiments in which they want to capitalize on this advantage. DNA Facts Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is often referred to as a blueprint. It contains information about how to build all the cells that are in our body. It is made up of four types of nucleotides, each of which has a phosphate group. These phosphate groups have a negative charge. DNA’s overall negative charge is what allows pulsed
