Proteins — Where DNA Takes on Form and Function

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Bio-Rad Laboratories

"For more info, visit http://www.bio-rad.com/ProteinElectrophoresis. Electrophoresis of proteins is similar to electrophoresis of DNA, but there are many differences between protein and DNA molecules including composition, charge, size, and variability that must be addressed to separate proteins by electrophoresis. In this webinar, Dr Kristi DeCourcy provides a complete introduction to the principles and practice of protein electrophoresis. She first examines the similarities and differences between DNA and protein molecules, focusing on their underlying chemistry and molecular structures, and then discusses the practical importance of these physical differences for protein electrophoresis methods. Additional considerations for protein electrophoresis are covered, including different types and concentrations of gel polymers (agarose and polyacrylamide), the effects of protein conformation (native or denatured), and the use of detergents, reducing agents, and various buffer formulations to control protein properties such as conformation, charge, and disulfide bond formation. Several types of protein gel electrophoresis systems are illustrated, and the use of dyes and other protein visualization and identification methods are presented in several examples, including a description of the western blotting technique. In a final sequence targeted to educators, the Dr DeCourcy details a complete procedure for guiding a classroom exercise in protein electrophoresis. Presenter: Kristi DeCourcy, PhD Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Dr DeCourcy received her BA in biology from SUNY Purchase and her MS in biology and PhD in biochemistry from Virginia Tech. Her doctoral research focused on protein chemistry and cell biology. For the last 14 years, she has been the laboratory manager of the Fralin Biotechnology Center at Virginia Tech, running the undergraduate molecular biology laboratories, managing the microscopy core facility, and developing and directing a high school outreach program that provides equipment and materials to more than 10,000 Virginia students annually. http://www.bio-rad.com/evportal/destination/product?catID=1ca8ecd0-61f0-4d79-acbc-23a461bd3d38&WT.mc_id=yt-Bio-Education-ww-electrophoresis-20120815-lJy-Z-_pBCM"