Biology · Virtual lab
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Interactive simulation of DNA separation by size using agarose gel electrophoresis.
Background
Agarose gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or protein molecules by size. An agarose gel matrix acts as a molecular sieve: when an electric field is applied, negatively charged nucleic acid fragments migrate toward the positive electrode, with smaller fragments moving faster through the pores.
The technique is fundamental in molecular biology for verifying PCR products, analysing restriction digests, and estimating fragment sizes by comparison with a DNA ladder of known molecular weights.
In this virtual lab you cast the gel, load DNA samples and a molecular-weight ladder, run the electrophoresis, stain with ethidium bromide, and visualise the separated bands on the in-lab laptop, all in an interactive 3D environment.
What you will learn
- Prepare an agarose gel and pour it into a casting tray
- Load DNA samples and a molecular-weight marker
- Run the electrophoresis and understand the role of the electric field
- Visualise and interpret banding patterns
Ready to try this experiment?
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