Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate charged molecules, such as DNA, RNA, or proteins, based on their size and charge by applying an electric field through a gel or capillary matrix. It is widely used in molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics for analyzing nucleic acids and proteins, enabling tasks like DNA fingerprinting, gene mapping, and protein purification. The technique involves loading samples into wells, running an electric current, and visualizing separated bands with stains or fluorescence.
Developers in bioinformatics, computational biology, or biotech should learn electrophoresis to understand experimental data generation for genomics, proteomics, and diagnostics, as it underpins many assays like PCR analysis, Western blotting, and sequencing. It is essential for interpreting lab results in software tools, designing algorithms for data analysis, and collaborating with wet-lab scientists on projects involving genetic testing or drug development.