electrophoresis

Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate molecules, like DNA, RNA, or proteins, based on their size and charge. In this process, a sample is placed in a gel and an electric current is applied. Molecules move through the gel at different rates—smaller or more negatively charged molecules travel faster than larger or positively charged ones. This separation allows scientists to analyze the composition of biological samples, diagnose diseases, and conduct research in genetics and forensics, among other applications.