History and principles of conductive media for standard DNA electrophoresis

Jonathan R. Brody, Scott E. Kern

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

DNA electrophoresis has been a dominant technique in molecular biology for 30 years. The foundation for this common technique is based on a few simple electrochemical principles. Electrophoretic DNA separation borrowed from existing protein and RNA techniques developed in the 1950s and 1960s. For 30 years, common DNA electrophoretic conductive media remained largely unchanged, with Tris as the primary cation. DNA electrophoresis relies simply upon the negative charge of the phosphate backbone and the ability to distribute a voltage gradient in a sieving matrix. Nevertheless, the conductive properties in DNA electrophoresis are complicated by choices involving voltage, electric current, conductivity, temperature, and the concentration and identity of the ionic species present. Differences among the extant chemical recipes for common conductive media affect central properties. Tris-based buffers, even in optimal form, create a runaway positive feedback loop between heat generation and retention, temperature, conductivity, and current. This is undesirable, leading to limitations on the permissible electric field and to impaired resolution. Recently, we developed low-molarity conductive media to mitigate this positive feedback loop. Such media allow for application of a higher electric field. Applications of DNA electrophoresis can now be reengineered for lower ionic strength, higher field strengths, and lower requirements for heat dissipation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalAnalytical Biochemistry
Volume333
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'History and principles of conductive media for standard DNA electrophoresis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this