Electrophoresis

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Electrophoresis is the motion of charged dispersed particles or dissolved charged molecules relative to a fluid under the influence of a spatially uniform electric field. As a rule, these zwitterionic particles and molecules have either a positive or negative net charge, which is often characterized with zeta potential. Electrophoresis is used in laboratories to separate macromolecules based on their charges. The technique normally applies a negative charge (via the cathode) so anionic molecules move towards a positive charge (the anode). Therefore, electrophoresis of positively charged particles or molecules (cations) is sometimes called cataphoresis, while electrophoresis of negatively charged particles or molecules (anions) is sometimes called anaphoresis. Electrophoresis is the basis for analytical techniques used in biochemistry and molecular biology to separate particles, molecules, or ions by size, charge, shape, or binding affinity, either freely or through a supportive medium using...

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