Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis encompasses analytical and preparative techniques separating charged molecules through differential migration in electric fields, with movement rates depending on charge, size, shape, and medium properties. This fundamental biochemical method proves essential for characterising proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Diverse electrophoresis formats exist including gel electrophoresis using polyacrylamide or agarose matrices, capillary electrophoresis employing narrow-bore tubes, and specialised techniques like isoelectric focusing.

The biopharmaceutical industry extensively employs electrophoresis throughout development and manufacturing for diverse characterisation and quality control applications. Protein characterisation uses SDS-PAGE determining molecular weight, assessing purity, detecting degradation products, and confirming identity. Capillary electrophoresis provides high-resolution separations for charge variant analysis of therapeutic proteins, peptide mapping, and glycoform profiling. DNA analysis employs agarose gel electrophoresis for plasmid characterisation and restriction fragment analysis. As biologic complexity increases and regulatory expectations demand orthogonal analytical approaches, electrophoresis remains foundational technique providing essential information supporting development decisions and regulatory submissions.