Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis is electrophoresis using agarose. Agarose is a fractional extract from agar and is the basic agent responsible for the gelling power of agar. Its importance in electrophoresis lies in the fact that it jellifies at temperatures between 32^oC - 45^oC and melts at temperatures between 80^oC - 95^o C and has remarkable sieving powers for biomolecules. it is neutral and can be easily modified to allow proteins such as enzymes, antigens or antibodies to be affixed. The absence of toxicity also is a benefit when compared to other separation media. An indispensable tool for nucleic acid separation in Genetic Engineering, Cell Culture and Microbiology. Analytical, Analytical Preparative PFGE, AND, Blotting, In-gel Cell -Tissue Separation, Separation Electrophoresis.

Easy preparation

Thermoreversible, gels formed by hydrogen bonds

Resiliant, even at low concentrations

Thermal stability

Low absorption of staining agents-low background

Pore size changes only by changing concentration

Gels can be dried for recordkeeping

Macroporous matrix - allows molecular diffusion

Biologically inert Can be stored for several years, if stored properly

Free of toxicity (non neurotoxic as acrylamide)

Can be autoclaved for sterile applications

Easily derivatizable

No free-radicals/additives needed for gelification

Electrophoresis: Agarose is suitable for the widest range of electrophoresis procedures as well as in immunoelectrophoresis and electrofocusing. Driven by electrostatic fields, the macromolecules migrate through the macroreticular structure.

Gel Chromatography, Affinity Chromatography and Ion Exchange Chromatography: In these applications, the movement of macromolecules is caused by the displacement of solvent along the gel formed in microspheres.

Solid Culture Media: Solid or semi-solid media are used to grow plant & cells and tissues.

Culture media prepared with agarose (instead of agar) can be used for strict autotrophic bacteria.

Growth of Protein Crystals: The agarose gel regulates the diffusion of the protein molecules, allowing the formation of crystals suitable for crystallographic study.

There are other scientific and technical applications that are continously appearing, like in cosmetics (additive, dermal filler, etc), for molds in a ceramic industry, etc.