Gel Electrophoresis

How does Gel Electrophoresis work?

1. Restriction enzyme(s) are added to a sample of DNA. The enzyme(s) cut the sample into fragments.

2. A gel, with the consistency similar to gelatin, is formed so that small holes (wells) are left at one end. Into these wells, the DNA fragments are placed

3. The gel is placed in a solution, and an electrical field is set up so that one end of the gel is positive and the other end is negative. The negative end is the well side of the gel.

4. When the power is turned on, the negatively charged DNA fragments move toward the positive end. The smaller the fragment, the faster it moves through the gel so fragments that are the farthest away from the gel are the smallest.

The pattern in the gel is analyzed

Matching band patterns are identified (or not identified)

Who assaulted the victim?Suspect 1, Suspect 2, or the

Boyfriend

A website demonstration

http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/westmin/science/sbioac/genetics/Electro.htm