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Pulsed field gel electrophoresis: Theory, instruments and application

Elena Nassonova

Open publisher page 29 citations

Abstract

Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) is a powerful technique for the fractionation of high molecular weight DNAs ranging from 10 kb to 10 Mb in size. PFGE separates DNA molecules in agarose gel by subjecting them to electric fields that alternate ("pulsate") in two directions. This technology plays a key role in the modern genomics as it allows manipulations of the DNA of whole chromosomes or their large fragments. In this review we discuss: 1) the theory behind PFGE, 2) different instruments based on the principle of pulsed field, their advantages and limitations, 3) factors affecting the mobility of DNA in PFGE gels, 4) practical applications of the technique.

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What this paper is about

Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) is a powerful technique for the fractionation of high molecular weight DNAs ranging from 10 kb to 10 Mb in size. PFGE separates DNA molecules in agarose gel by subjecting them to electric fields that alternate ("pulsate") in two directions. This technology plays a key role in the modern genomics as it allows manipulations of the DNA of whole chromosomes or their large fragments. In this review we discuss: 1) the theory behind PFGE, 2) different instruments based on the principle of pulsed field, their advantages and limitations, 3) factors affecting the mobility of DNA in PFGE gels, 4) practical applications of the technique.

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OpenAlex reports 29 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) is a powerful technique for the fractionation of high molecular weight DNAs ranging from 10 kb to 10 Mb in size. PFGE separates DNA molecules in agarose gel by subjecting them to electric fields that alternate ("pulsate") in two directions. This technology plays a key role in the modern genomics as it allows manipulations of the DNA of whole chromosomes or their large fragments. In this review we discuss: 1) the theory behind PFGE, 2) different instruments based on the principle of pulsed field, their advantages and limitations, 3) factors affecting the mobility of DNA in PFGE gels, 4) practical applications of the technique.

Key concepts: Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, Biology, Gel electrophoresis, Electrophoresis, Field (mathematics), DNA, Agarose, Fractionation

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