What are the differences between gel electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE?

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Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation 
Gel electrophoresis
SDS-PAGE

Definition
Gel eletrophoresis is a technique used to separate charged molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins based on their size and charge
SDS-PAGE is a high-resolution gel electrophoresis technique used to separate proteins based on their mass

Composition of gel 
Composed either of agarose or polyacrylamide gel
Composed only of polyacrylamide gel

Ease of preparation
Simple 
Complex processes

Run configuration
Can be performed vertically or horizontally
Always runs vertically

Run conditions
Generally run under native conditions 
Run under denaturing conditions

Denaturation
Process includes both denaturing and non-denaturing techniques
Proteins are denatured prior to separation

Basis for separation 
Separation is based on the charge and size
Separation is based on mass and charge

Pore size
Pore size is not uniform –it is generally smaller in higher concentrations of agarose 
Pore size is uniform and determined by the ratio of acrylamide to bis-acrylamide

Staining dye
Ethidium bromide
Coomassie staining or silver staining

Resolution
Has lower resolution
Has a better resolution

Manner of casting
Sets as it cools
Sets by a chemical reaction

Basis of differentiation	Gel electrophoresis	SDS-PAGE
Definition	Gel eletrophoresis is a technique used to separate charged molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins based on their size and charge	SDS-PAGE is a high-resolution gel electrophoresis technique used to separate proteins based on their mass
Composition of gel	Composed either of agarose or polyacrylamide gel	Composed only of polyacrylamide gel
Ease of preparation	Simple	Complex processes
Run configuration	Can be performed vertically or horizontally	Always runs vertically
Run conditions	Generally run under native conditions	Run under denaturing conditions
Denaturation	Process includes both denaturing and non-denaturing techniques	Proteins are denatured prior to separation
Basis for separation	Separation is based on the charge and size	Separation is based on mass and charge
Pore size	Pore size is not uniform –it is generally smaller in higher concentrations of agarose	Pore size is uniform and determined by the ratio of acrylamide to bis-acrylamide
Staining dye	Ethidium bromide	Coomassie staining or silver staining
Resolution	Has lower resolution	Has a better resolution
Manner of casting	Sets as it cools	Sets by a chemical reaction

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