Agarose
Agarose is a natural polysaccharide derived from seaweed, primarily used as a matrix in gel electrophoresis for the separation of nucleic acids. It forms a porous gel structure when dissolved in a buffer solution and cooled, allowing DNA and RNA molecules to migrate through it under an electric field. The pore size of the gel depends on the concentration of agarose used, with lower concentrations providing larger pores suitable for separating large DNA fragments, while higher concentrations create smaller pores for resolving smaller nucleic acid fragments.
Agarose is available in different grades depending on its purity and intended application. Standard agarose is commonly used for routine DNA and RNA electrophoresis, while low-melting-point agarose is used for applications requiring intact DNA recovery, such as cloning. High-resolution agarose offers finer separation of small DNA fragments, while molecular biology-grade agarose ensures high purity, free from contaminants that could interfere with sensitive molecular techniques. Due to its ease of use, non-toxic nature, and reliable separation properties, agarose is a fundamental component in genetic research, forensic science, and biotechnology.