How to count allele/polymorphism from the gel picture?

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and agarose gel electrophoresis are both commonly used techniques for separating and analyzing nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) or proteins based on their size. However, they differ in several aspects, including the matrix material, resolving power, and applications. Here’s a comparison of PAGE and agarose gel electrophoresis: Matrix Material: Agarose Gel: Agarose, a polysaccharide derived from seaweed, is used to create the gel matrix in agarose gel electrophoresis. Agarose gels have larger pore sizes and are suitable for separating larger nucleic acids, such as genomic DNA and larger RNA molecules. Polyacrylamide Gel: Polyacrylamide, a synthetic polymer, is used to create the gel matrix in PAGE. Polyacrylamide gels have smaller pore sizes and are suitable for separating smaller nucleic acids, such as PCR products, oligonucleotides, and proteins. Resolving Power: Agarose Gel: Agarose gel electrophoresis is generally used for the separation of larger nucleic acids. The resolving power of agarose gels is lower compared to polyacrylamide gels. The separation is primarily based on size, and larger fragments migrate slower through the gel. Polyacrylamide Gel: PAGE offers higher resolving power and is suitable for separating smaller nucleic acids or proteins. The separation is based on both size and charge, as polyacrylamide gels can be denaturing (SDS-PAGE) or native (non-denaturing) gels. Gel Concentration: Agarose Gel: Agarose gels are typically prepared at a lower gel concentration, usually ranging from 0.5% to 2%. The gel concentration affects the size separation range and resolution of larger nucleic acids. Polyacrylamide Gel: PAGE gels have a higher concentration of polyacrylamide, typically ranging from 5% to 20% or even higher. The gel concentration can be adjusted to achieve the desired separation range and resolution for smaller nucleic acids or proteins. Sample Preparation: Agarose Gel: Agarose gel electrophoresis generally requires minimal sample preparation. DNA or RNA samples are often mixed with loading dye, which helps visualize the migration during electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide Gel: PAGE often involves more stringent sample preparation, especially for protein analysis. Samples are usually denatured and treated with reducing agents and SDS to denature and coat proteins uniformly for SDS-PAGE. Applications: Agarose Gel: Agarose gel electrophoresis is commonly used for DNA analysis, such as DNA fragment sizing, separation of PCR products, and DNA purification from agarose gels. Polyacrylamide Gel: PAGE has broader applications and is used for both nucleic acid and protein analysis. It is widely used for DNA sequencing, DNA-protein interaction studies, analysis of protein size and purity, and protein purification. Agarose gel electrophoresis is suitable for larger nucleic acids, while polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) offers higher resolution for smaller nucleic acids and proteins. The choice between the two techniques depends on the target molecule size, resolution requirements, and the specific application. #dna #rna #gelelectrophoresis #genetics #pcr #biology