What are the differences between horizontal and vertical gel electrophoresis?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Horizontal gel electrophoresis

Vertical gel electrophoresis

Definition

Is a gel electrophoresis technique in which the gel is cast horizontally

Is a gel electrophoresis technique in which the gel is cast vertically

Nature of the gel

Usually made of agarose

Usually made of acrylamide

Nature of buffer

Uses a continuous running buffer

Uses a discontinuous buffer

Use of acrylamide

Acrylamide cannot be utilized because the gel box is exposed to atmospheric oxygen

Acrylamide can be utilized because the two separate chambers prevent the gel from getting exposed to atmospheric oxygen

Anode & cathode positions

Anode and cathode are present at the two ends of the electrophoretic chamber

Anode and cathode are present at the top and bottom of the electrophoretic chamber

Application

Is used to separate nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA

Is used to separate protein mixtures

Basis of differentiation	Horizontal gel electrophoresis	Vertical gel electrophoresis
Definition	Is a gel electrophoresis technique in which the gel is cast horizontally	Is a gel electrophoresis technique in which the gel is cast vertically
Nature of the gel	Usually made of agarose	Usually made of acrylamide
Nature of buffer	Uses a continuous running buffer	Uses a discontinuous buffer
Use of acrylamide	Acrylamide cannot be utilized because the gel box is exposed to atmospheric oxygen	Acrylamide can be utilized because the two separate chambers prevent the gel from getting exposed to atmospheric oxygen
Anode & cathode positions	Anode and cathode are present at the two ends of the electrophoretic chamber	Anode and cathode are present at the top and bottom of the electrophoretic chamber
Application	Is used to separate nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA	Is used to separate protein mixtures