Uses narrow tubes instead of gels, allowing for high-speed separation and automation, commonly used in modern DNA sequencing. Real-World Applications

Electrophoresis is the backbone of several critical scientific fields:

Molecules are loaded into a porous gel, typically made of agarose (for large DNA fragments) or polyacrylamide (for smaller DNA or proteins). This gel acts as a molecular sieve.

is a fundamental laboratory technique used to separate macromolecules—specifically DNA, RNA, and proteins—based on their size and electrical charge . By applying an electric field to a buffered medium, scientists can "sort" complex biological mixtures into distinct bands, making it an indispensable tool in genetics, forensics, and clinical diagnostics. How It Works