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How do DNA fragments move through the gel?
Posted May 2, 2023
Answer
DNA fragments are negatively charged. When an electric current is applied to the gel, the negatively charged DNA fragments migrate towards the positively charged electrode.
The shorter DNA fragments migrate through the gel more quickly because of their lower density while the longer DNA fragments move through the gel more slowly. This results in the fragments being arranged in order of size.
Additional resources
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis for the Separation of DNA Fragments
Helixyte™ Green Nucleic Acid Gel Stain *10,000X DMSO Solution*