Difference Between SDS PAGE and Gel Electrophoresis

SDS PAGE vs Gel Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis can be utilized to ascertain the mass of an object usually for protein and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The strand of DNA, when introduced to chemicals, may speed up or slow down the information process. DNA markers of known mass are used to approximate the size of the objects travelling once electrophoresis has ended. Electrophoresis is most likely to be the most-used tool for molecular biologists and biochemists.

There are two types of electrophoresis that are commonly used in this process. These are sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and native gel electrophoresis.

SDS-PAGE is a non-selective method of gel electrophoresis used in fields such as: biochemistry, forensics, biology, and genetics to detach protein from their electrophoretic mobility. SDS is an anionic surfactant that can be used to assist in lysing cells during DNA extraction and for separating proteins in SDS-PAGE. During electrophoresis, a mixture of protein is first liquefied in a solution of SDS. Then a substance called Mercaptoeethanol is applied to remove disulphide bonds to make protein linear. Electrophoresis is then initiated. The results would yield two residues of molecules, one of which is SDS-PAGE.

The absence of SDS-PAGE is not an issue as gel electrophoresis can still be done only that proteins do not lose all of their secondary and tertiary structure and do not open up into generally straight rods.

Meanwhile, native gel electrophoresis uses gel as an anticonvective medium. It is usually used for separation of biological macromolecules such as DNA, ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein. It can also be used for separation of nanoparticles.

There are two main gels used in native gel electrophoresis, namely:

Agarose gel which is used for larger molecules. This gel does not identify small differences between two molecular bands. It is also solely used for the separation of DNA. Visualization of agarose gel is done with the mix of ethidium bromide.

Polyacrylamide gel which is used for smaller molecules. This gel identifies the differences between molecular bands. Aside from DNA, it can also separate proteins.

Summary:

1.SDS-PAGE is a non-selective method of gel electrophoresis used in fields such as: biochemistry, forensics, biology, and genetics to detach protein from their electrophoretic mobility while gel electrophoresis is usually used for separation of biological macromolecules such as DNA, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein. It can also be used for separation of nanoparticles.

2.Native gel electrophoresis has two types, namely: agarose gel and polyacrylamide gel.

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