DNA electrophoresis’ is used to separate DNA fragments by size. The types of gels most commonly used for DNA electrophoresis are agarose (for relatively large DNA molecules) and polyacrylamide (for high resolution of short DNA fragments).  The former is also sometimes referred to as submarine electrophoresis because the gels are submerged in buffer. The buffers used for the separation are Tris-Borate-EDTA or Tris-Acetate-EDTA and the DNA migrates relative to its size: smaller fragments moving faster through the gel matrix and larger fragments moving slower. Following the separation, the gels can be stained or transferred (Southern blotting). DNA separations are usually detected by dyes that bind to the molecules and are typically viewed under UV illumination. Nucleic acids can be transferred from the gel matrix to membrane sheets by capillary or electrical transfer for probing. DNA fragments in the range of 100 bp to 20 kb are typically separated in agarose gels using submarine style electrophoresis units. Hoefer offers 8 sizes of submarine units for quick results or high throughput. Smaller fragments, <100 bp, are typically separated on polyacrylamide gels in a vertical format. We recommend the Hoefer MiniVE or the Mighty Small II units for small fragments up to 1 kb.

Nucleic Acid Electrophoresis Sub-categories Mini Submarine Units Standard Submarine Units Maxi and Maxi-Plus Submarine Units HE-PLUS Complete Electrophoresis System Selection Guide for Submarine Units