Electrophoresis

This chapter discusses the analytical technique of electrophoresis involving a very simple instrument, or what could be described in its most basic form as an apparatus. It explains that electrophoresis is used to separate and identify macromolecular species based on the differential migration of charged molecules in an electric field. It also mentions capillary electrophoresis, a particular form of electrophoresis, that has developed into an instrumental technique that offers fast run times, excellent resolution, automation, and options for obtaining quantitative results. The chapter considers electrophoresis as a separation technique that can be used analytically to characterize the compositions of mixtures and preparatively to isolate components of mixtures that are of interest. It points out that electrophoresis is a one-phase system as it involves components that are in the same phase.