Context
A technique called electrophoresis allows scientists to analyse the molecules of life – DNA and proteins – by separating them by their electrical charge.
About Electrophoresis and Electric Fields in Biomedical Research:
- Electrophoresis is a technique used to separate molecules ( DNA , proteins, bacteria) based on their electrical charge.
- It uses an electric field to move charged particles through a medium, usually water with salt.
- Electric Fields
- Electric fields are forces exerted on charged particles (protons, electrons) based on their charge.
- Opposite charges attract and like charges repel.
- Molecules can also carry a charge depending on their atomic structure, affecting their migration in electric fields.
Applications and Advantages of Electrophoresis
- Fast and flexible: Electrophoresis can be used on various materials, such as gels, paper, or thin tubes.
- Helps analyze molecules to microbes based on their charge, size, and shape.
- Nonlinear electrophoresis (discovered in 1972) allows separation based on size and shape of particles, not just charge.
- Electrophoresis in Pathogen Detection
- Microfluidic systems: Tiny laboratories on a chip used for rapid pathogen detection, typically within 20 minutes.
- Microfluidics allow for much faster analysis, with microchannels just 0.4 to 2 inches long, reducing processing time to 2-3 minutes.
- Nonlinear Electrophoresis and Microfluidics
- Combining nonlinear electrophoresis with microfluidics allows separation of bacteria by charge, size, and shape.
- This combination can distinguish between live and dead bacterial cells, offering insight into antibiotic efficacy.
- Tiny Electrophoresis Systems in Medicine
- Microelectrophoresis systems are more efficient, offering faster results at lower costs compared to traditional methods.
- Potential uses include:
- Antibiotic testing: Quickly determining if bacteria are dead or alive after treatment.
- Identifying antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Rapid drug selection for patients.
- Purification of bacteriophages: To treat bacterial infections.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
