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Gel electrophoresis uses an electrical current to move molecules through a liquid medium. The molecules, usually DNA, RNA or protein, are separated by their size and amount of charge.

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At the beginning, before the process begins the DNA or whatever genetic material is being tested is digested  with special enzymes called restriction endonucleases. These enzymes cut the backbone of the DNA double helix at specific sequences, producing smaller DNA segments and  fragment patterns. These types of fragments of DNA can be used to identify anyone by their DNA, except identical twins. These small fragments of cut genetic material are called profiles.

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Samples with fragments of DNA are loaded into small depressions, called wells, on one end of the gel (a special type of polymer). The gel is submerged in a buffer solution, and an electric current is run through the gel. On the machine, there are two electrodes. A negatively charged on, and a positively charged one. The DNA always starts near the negative end as it is negatively charged and is attracted to the negative electrode. The DNA samples must begin near the negative pole, so that they can spread out as they are drawn toward the positive pole.

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The gel is made of a special polysaccharide called agarose. What happens is that these long chains of polymers are linked together to make a mesh or sieve. The DNA has to  travel through the spaces between the polymers. Smaller pieces can slip through the spaces, allowing them to move further along the gel in a certain amount of time. By using higher concentrations of agarose, the average size of the space/pore can be reduced, and smaller pieces of DNA can be separated. Usually, one or more of the wells is filled with a ‘DNA ladder’, which contains DNA fragments with a range of known lengths. By using the DNA ladder, the length of sample fragments can be determined.

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Gel electrophoresis can be used whenever the source of DNA needs to be identified. For example, it can determine which strain of bacteria is causing an epidemic or solve crimes that hinge on DNA evidence. All human beings have a unique combination of DNA sequences, and every one of those DNA sequences can be traced back to the individual’s parents, grandparents and so on, so gel electrophoresis can also be used to determine paternity and other family relationships. For example, if there are 3 different potential fathers, the child's bands would be recorded, then the mothers, and then whichever ones did not match the mother had to belong to the father.

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Paternity Suit Testing

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The Disadvantages of Gel Electrophoresis

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The Disadvantages of Gel Electrophoresis

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-Electrophoresis Has Limited Sample Analysis
-Electrophoresis Measurements Are Not Precise
-Substantial Starting Sample is Required
-Only Certain Molecules Can Be Visualized
-Electrophoresis is Low Throughput

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4846332/

https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Electrophoresis-as-a-Tool-in-Forensics.aspx#:~:text=Electrophoresis%20can%20be%20used%20to%20analyze%20proteins%2C%20including%20those%20found,proteins%20may%20not%20be%20charged.&text=Thus%2C%20this%20application%20may%20be,presence%20of%20diseases%20in%20suspects.

http://what-when-how.com/forensic-sciences/capillary-electrophoresis-in-forensic-science/

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-Khan, Salman. “Gel Electrophoresis (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, 2019, www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/gene-expression-and-regulation/biotechnology/a/gel-electrophoresis.
-Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, www.nature.com/scitable/definition/gel-electrophoresis-286/.

-Robison, Christopher. “The Disadvantages of Gel Electrophoresis.” Sciencing, 2 Mar. 2019, sciencing.com/disadvantages-gel-electrophoresis-8003362.html.