What is polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)?

To follow this article, as basic understanding of protein biochemistry is helpful. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) is a technique use almost universally in life science laboratories. The goal of this technique is to separate a mixed sample of proteins to identify and quantify single proteins from the mixture.

Which vertical electrophoresis systems do Cleaver scientific offer?

Cleaver Scientific provides a comprehensive range of vertical electrophoresis systems- complete with tanks inserts and reagents- to fulfil a variety of applications and techniques in different gel sizes and throughputs. The omniPAGE range comprises three sizes of gel chamber, Mini 10 x 10cm, Mini Wide 20 x 10cm and WAVE Maxi 20 x 20cm.

Why do we use polyacrylamide instead of agarose?

In PAGE, rather than agarose, we use a chemical called polyacrylamide. Varying the percentage of polyacrylamide in the gel lets us change the size of the pores in the gel, which means that we can separate different sizes of protein in different percentage gels. Typical gel percentages are shown in the table below.

Can I cast my own polyacrylamide gel?

Each gel tank system includes a leak free casting option to cast your own polyacrylamide gels and the omniPAGE mini can utilise a wide variety of commercially available precast gels from all major manufacturers. …

How is acrylamide polymerised?

Polymerisation is achieved by mixing acrylamide with bis-acrylamide, which allows cross-links to form between the acrylamide molecules. Additional chemicals are added to initiate the polymerisation, usually ammonium persulphate as a source of free radicals and TEMED as a stabiliser.

How do you polymerise a gel?

Once the polymerisation begins the gel is poured between 2 glass plates and allowed to completely polymerise. The gel mixture is made up not in water but in electrophoresis buffer (Tris-HCl), that provides the ions for electrophoresis. Often, the gel is poured in 2 parts.