Reagents and instruments for immunology, cell biology and molecular biology.
 
Nucleic acids electrophoresis

Nucleic acids electrophoresis

Nucleic acids electrophoresis is a fundamental molecular biology technique used to separate DNA and RNA molecules based on their size and charge by applying an electric field through a gel matrix. This process allows visualization, identification, and purification of nucleic acids for various downstream applications such as cloning, sequencing, and analysis of gene expression.

Principles of Nucleic Acids Electrophoresis

Nucleic acids carry a uniform negative charge due to their phosphate backbone, causing them to migrate toward the positively charged anode during electrophoresis. The migration rate is primarily influenced by the size of the nucleic acid fragments and the gel matrix through which they travel. The gel acts as a molecular sieve, separating molecules by size, with smaller fragments migrating faster than larger ones.

Gel Matrices Used

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Agarose, a polysaccharide derived from seaweed, is the most commonly used gel matrix for separating larger nucleic acid fragments ranging from approximately 50 base pairs (bp) to 50 kilobase pairs (kb). Agarose gels are prepared by dissolving agarose powder in buffer, heating it to form a solution, and then allowing it to solidify into a gel with a porous structure. The concentration of agarose (typically 0.5–2%) determines the pore size and resolution capacity. Agarose gel electrophoresis is widely used for analyzing PCR products, restriction enzyme digests, plasmids, and RNA transcripts. The resulting bands are stained and visualized under UV or blue light.

Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE)

For higher resolution separation of smaller nucleic acid fragments (5 bp to ~3,000 bp), polyacrylamide gels are used. Polyacrylamide gels are synthetic, formed by polymerization of acrylamide and a cross-linker (usually N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide). These gels have a smaller and more uniform pore size than agarose gels, enabling single-base resolution in some cases, which is crucial for applications like DNA sequencing or analyzing short RNA molecules. Polyacrylamide gels require more complex preparation and handling compared to agarose gels.

Key Applications

  • Confirming PCR amplification and sizing of DNA fragments
  • Checking RNA integrity and purity
  • Analyzing restriction enzyme digests for cloning
  • Isolating nucleic acid fragments for downstream manipulations
  • Quantifying nucleic acid concentration and purity

This technique's versatility and reliability underpin many critical protocols in molecular biology research, diagnostics, and biotechnology.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where can I find nucleic acids products on the Quimigen website?

nucleic acids products are available in this section and can be sorted by product families or sub-categories, such as Buffers, MW Ladders, Agarose. You can browse the catalogue tree or use the search bar with a product name, catalogue reference, brand or supplier.

What types of products are available in the nucleic acids category?

The nucleic acids category brings together various product references, consumables, reagents, kits, instruments or laboratory solutions, depending on the relevant product family. The Buffers, Equipment, Agarose sub-categories allow you to find the products that meet your needs more quickly.

How can I quickly find a nucleic acids product?

To find a nucleic acids product, use the search function by name, product code, supplier, brand or sub-category. You can also browse the product families listed on the page to identify an available product code, an alternative or an equivalent product.

Does Quimigen stock several product codes in the nucleic acids category?

Yes, Quimigen distributes several product references in the nucleic acids category, sourced from specialist suppliers. Depending on the product family, references may vary in terms of format, packaging, brand, supplier, technical specifications or availability.

Can I request a quote for nucleic acids products?

Yes, you can request a quote for nucleic acids products from the product page or by contacting Quimigen (info@quimigen.pt). To help us process your enquiry, please provide, where possible, the product name, catalogue reference, required quantity, the supplier or brand you are looking for, and the country of delivery.

How can I find out if a nucleic acids product is available to order?

The availability of a nucleic acids product depends on the product code, supplier, packaging and country of delivery. For up-to-date information, please check the product details page or contact Quimigen with the product code or name of the product you are looking for.

What should I do if I cannot find the nucleic acids product I am looking for?

If the nucleic acids product you are looking for does not appear in the catalogue, please contact Quimigen with the available information: product name, reference number, supplier, brand, format or packaging. The team will be able to search for the reference number within its network of suppliers or suggest an available alternative.

Are all nucleic acids products available under the same terms and conditions?

No. Ordering, delivery, storage and documentation conditions may vary depending on the product type, the supplier and the applicable regulations. Certain product codes may require specific approval, specialised transport, a safety data sheet or additional information prior to ordering.