pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is a laboratory technique used to analyze the genetic material (DNA) of organisms. In PFGE, DNA is extracted and cut into large fragments. These fragments are then placed on a special gel and subjected to an electric field that periodically changes direction. This pulsing allows the large DNA pieces to move through the gel at different rates, creating a unique pattern of bands. By comparing these patterns, scientists can identify and differentiate bacterial strains or other organisms, aiding in outbreak investigations and genetic studies.