Agarose
Agarose is a natural polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed, widely used in molecular biology for gel electrophoresis. It forms a gel matrix that separates DNA, RNA, and proteins based on size, making it crucial for genetic analysis. Agarose gels are easy to prepare, with a low melting point, and provide high resolution for biomolecule separation. This versatile material is essential in labs for visualizing and analysing nucleic acids with excellent clarity and precision.
Characteristics
Gel Formation:
It forms a gel when dissolved in boiling water and cooled, making it ideal for use in gel electrophoresis.
High Purity:
Agarose is typically purified, ensuring minimal contaminants that could interfere with experimental results.
Adjustable Pore Size:
The concentration of agarose in the gel determines the pore size, which can be adjusted depending on the size of molecules being separated.
Low Melting Point:
Agarose has a relatively low melting point (about 85-95°C), allowing easy preparation and handling of gels.
High Resolution
Agarose gels provide high-resolution separation of nucleic acids and proteins, which is essential for accurate analysis.
Application
DNA Fragment Isolation:
Used to isolate DNA fragments after PCR for further analysis.
DNA Separation:
Essential for DNA manipulation and identifying individuals based on unique DNA sequences.
Gene Expression Research:
Helps analyse RNA/DNA markers involved in gene expression.
Forensic & Paternity Testing:
Used to create DNA profiles for identification.
Protein Separation:
Used in protein electrophoresis to separate proteins by size.