Post Electrophoretic Analysis Articles
Homogeneous Buffer Systems
In a homogeneous buffer system, the identity and concentration of buffer components are the same in the gel and the tanks. Most forms of DNA and RNA electrophoresis generally use homogeneous buffer systems. Electrophoresis of proteins is most often performed under multiphasic conditions, where tank and gel buffers differ.
In a homogeneous system, the buffer performs the functions of protecting the samples and carrying the current. Problems most often arise with homogeneous systems if the ionic strength is for some reason different in the gel versus either of the tanks. Most often this occurs due to the inadvertent omission of a component, a mistake in stoichiometric calculations, or precipitation in a stock solution (10X TBE is especially prone to this problem). One consequence of a concentration gradient between the tank and the gel is a "salt wave" which migrates through the gel during electrophoresis. Accompanying this concentration gradient will be changes in the electrical parameters leading to localized distortions in the band pattern.
NEXT TOPIC: Multiphasic Buffer Systems
- The Polyacrylamide Matrix-Buffer Strength
- The Polyacrylamide Matrix
- The Mechanical and Electrical Dynamics of Gel Electrophoresis — Electrophoresis System Dynamics
- The Mechanical and Electrical Dynamics of Gel Electrophoresis – Ohm’s Law
- The Mechanical and Electrical Dynamics of Gel Electrophoresis – Intro and Sample Mobility
- The Electrophoresis Matrix
- The Agarose Matrix
- Radioactive Emissions and the Use of Isotopes in Research
- Multiphasic Buffer Systems
- Horizontal and Vertical Gel Systems – Vertical Tube Gels
- Horizontal and Vertical Gel Systems – The Vertical Slab Gel System
- Horizontal and Vertical Gel Systems – The Horizontal Gel System
- Homogeneous Buffer Systems
- Faint bands, low background
- Faint Bands, High Background
- Ethidium Bromide Staining
- Electrophoresis Buffers-Choosing the Right Buffer
- Electrophoresis Buffers–The Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
- Coomassie Blue Stain- Troubleshooting
- Buffer Additives-Surfactants
- Buffer Additives-Reducing Agents
- Buffer Additives-Hydrogen Bonding Agents
- Biological Macromolecules: Nucleic Acids
- Biological Macromolecules – Proteins